MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Gallus
Australia's Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for
Foreign Affairs, Mrs Chris Gallus, today launched the Mongolia-Australia
Targeted Capacity Building and Small Activity Facility.
Mrs Gallus joined Mr Enkhtaivan, Vice Minister, Ministry of Finance and
Economy in signing a memorandum of understanding between the Australian and
Mongolian Governments governing the new Facility.
The Mongolia-Australia Targeted Capacity Building and Small Activity
Facility increases the focus of Australia's aid efforts on capacity
building. The Facility will provide an integrated program of targeted tertiary
training using in-Australia Development Scholarships and Distance Education
Scholarships with complementary forms of capacity building.
'The new Capacity Building and Small Activity Facility has been designed
to be responsive to the needs of the key reform ministries, both for short and
longer- term capacity development,' Mrs Gallus said. 'Through the
continued provision of Australian Development Scholarships, we will contribute
to building the human resource capacity of both the public sector and civil
society.'
'I am especially pleased that these scholarships - over 70 in the last
10 years - have produced fine graduates who are contributing to Mongolia's
development and who are helping to maintain the very important links between
our two countries,' Mrs Gallus said.
'A number of prominent Mongolian government leaders and officials have
studied in Australia under one of these scholarships.'
'We hope that the Facility will provide valuable support in other ways
to the targeted ministries, Mrs Gallus said.
'The recently completed Mongolia Capacity Building Program was able to
support some key legislative reforms, including the Public Sector Management
and Finance Law. Putting in place sound legal and institutional frameworks
underpins the efficient and effective use of resources and promotes open and
accountable governance,' she added.
Media contacts:
Shane Fairlie (Office of Mrs Gallus) 0408 680 442 or 02 6277 4840
Lorraine Mulholland (AusAID) 02 6206 4727 or 0417 680 590