“A commitment to genuine partnership is a “golden thread” running through our new policy.
We have spoken about it extensively in every engagement we have had in the region – and the new policy will codify those words and help turn them into action.
Australia has also heard the many voices calling for increased assistance to combat climate change.
It is our region’s foremost concern and the single greatest threat to Pacific communities.
Accordingly, responding to climate change will be a central feature of our new development policy.
Whether on climate, infrastructure, food security or economic development, we will engage with respect and in equal partnership.
Our partners have told us they want more opportunities to participate in Australia’s development program.
We welcome this desire for more ownership.
We also want our aid investments in the region to drive local employment and procurement opportunities.“
Last night, Pat Conroy, Australian Minister for International Development, spoke at the Australian Institute for International Affairs – Qld branch about Australia’s international development program and its relationship with the Pacific. Conroy’s speech focused on the theme of using all of the tools of statecraft to deepen Australian foreign engagement, including the development budget. Conroy noted that the government will deliver $1.9 billion in Official Development Assistance to the Pacific this financial year, Australia’s highest contribution yet. The additional development assistance will support shared priorities such as Pacific climate resilience and mitigation, post-COVID-19 economic recovery, health, water, education, and social protection, as well as women and girls’ empowerment and disability rights.
Conroy acknowledged that for the past decade, Australia’s development program had been devalued despite being a core strategic capability for the country. He emphasized that every ODA dollar Australia spends is an investment in a stronger, more stable region, which ultimately makes Australians safer and allows for cooperation and trade. For these reasons, the Albanese Government is restoring ODA’s role as a central part of the country’s approach to the world. The government will soon launch Australia’s first long-term development framework in almost ten years, which will define the development program’s role in contributing to the region’s peace, stability, and prosperity and improve human development.
Conroy revealed that responding to climate change would be a central feature of the new development policy, as it is the Pacific region’s foremost concern and the single greatest threat to Pacific communities. Australia will engage with respect and in equal partnership on climate, infrastructure, food security, and economic development. Moreover, Australia will work harder to provide local people and businesses with the funding, training, and other forms of support they need to exercise leadership. The government is also designing a new disability equity and rights strategy in the development program, while at least 80% of Australia’s investments will advance gender equality.
Conroy said that rebuilding Australia’s development program is essential as the country faces the most challenging strategic circumstances in the post-war period, with the region being reshaped by climate change, global economic uncertainty, profound demographic and technological shifts. He concluded by saying that the Albanese Government is committed to restoring the international development program to its proper place as a critical national asset of statecraft, which can be a powerful way to solve problems, make friends, and increase Australia’s influence.
Link to the ministers speech: https://ministers.dfat.gov.au/minister/pat-conroy/speech/address-australian-institute-international-affairs