MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to announce that Australia has agreed to collaborate with Japan
and New Zealand in upgrading the ability of the University of the South Pacific
(USP) to deliver distance education. This project gives effect to a commitment
made under the Australia Japan Partnership Agenda to enhance aid cooperation
with Japan. The Partnership Agenda exemplifies the depth and breadth of the
relationship we share with Japan today.
As part of a $5.5 million Pacific-wide project, Australia has agreed to
provide satellite earth stations in USP centres in Vanuatu and Kiribati. Japan
and New Zealand will provide other stations around the Pacific. This project
will complement Australia's recent upgrading of facilities at four USP centres,
in the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Kiribati and Tonga.
The Government of Australia values its co-operation with the Government of
Japan in aid activities in the Pacific. As the two largest donors to the Forum
island countries, Australia and Japan have a common goal of promoting
sustainable development for the island nations of the Pacific.
Co-operation between Australia and Japan already extends to a number of
projects.
- Joint funding of the Fiji Health Promotion Project which is helping to
reduce the incidence of lifestyle diseases through increased community
awareness. This project commenced in February 1996 and Australia's
contribution is $1.5 million. - Providing cold chain equipment for immunisation programs, Japan assists
the Pacific Regional Hepatitis B Project to which Australia has committed $2.5
million over five years. - Working together on ocean and land-based seismology as part of the Rabaul
Volcanological Project in Papua New Guinea.
Co-operation between Australia and Japan in the Pacific goes beyond
collaboration on individual projects. Through our annual aid consultations, as
well as regular dialogue and consultations at the policy and sectoral levels,
Australia works with Japan to ensure our programs complement each other and
provide the maximum possible benefit in Forum island countries.
TOKYO
Media contact: Innes Willox (Minister's Office) 02 6277 7500
/ 0411 414 695 Mark Giffard (AusAID) 02 6206 4966