суббота, 24 сентября 2011 г.

Australia signs aid pact with World Bank


14:24 AEST Sat Sep 24 2011
Australia has joined with the World Bank in a pact aimed at helping developing countries in the Asia-Pacific and other regions.
The Partnership Framework, announced by Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd and World Bank president Robert Zoellick in Washington on Friday, comes after a major review of Australia's aid program in July which recommended Australia boost partnerships with multilateral institutions.
Mr Rudd announced then that Australia would slash its aid to China and India but boost spending in Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, the Middle East and Africa.
Mr Rudd said the partnership with the World Bank would bring more aid money and expertise into the region.
"Working with the bank not only helps us leverage additional financial resources to our region, but also the bank's impressive development expertise, knowledge, research and analysis," he said.
It will also expand the scope of the partnership across the world.
"We're engaged with the bank, not just in the Asia-Pacific but much more widely now, whether it's in Africa, whether it's in parts of Latin America, or elsewhere," he said.
Mr Zoellick praised Australia's "generous" contributions to its fund for the poorest countries, the International Development Association (IDA), and the country's recent aid efforts in Tonga, adding that increased financial aid for the region will not be the only outcome of the partnership.
"It's not only aid, importantly, but it's private investment in telecommunications, expanding business and investment opportunities, trying to make the region more sustainable while at same time linked to bigger countries such as Australia," he said.
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It's understood the partnership will also focus on helping developing countries manage their environment, water, and other natural resources, and reducing their vulnerability to natural disasters.

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