MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to release today Australia's report on our contribution to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), A Global Partnership for Development: Australia's Contribution to Achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
At the Millennium Summit in 2000, Australia, with other member states of the United Nations, unanimously adopted the Millennium Declaration. The Declaration includes a set of eight goals - the MDGs - designed to focus national and international development efforts on the major challenges facing developing countries up until the year 2015.
This report, produced by the Australian Government's international development agency, AusAID, details Australia's approach to the eighth Millennium Development Goal, contributing to the creation of a global partnership for development. It also outlines our efforts to support developing countries reach goals 1 to 7 which set out what we all wish for - the eradication of poverty, hunger, disease and gender inequality and the achievement of universal education, health and environmental sustainability.
A Global Partnership for Development articulates Australia's focus on a number of essential prerequisites for sustainable development such as economic growth, greater openness to trade and investment, good governance and long-term investment in health, education and rural development.
Australia's approach reflects the core premise of the Millennium Declaration - that reducing poverty is about more than wealthy countries increasing aid to poorer countries. Effective and sustainable development is ultimately each country's responsibility to look after its people, to identify their most pressing needs and make decisions about how they want to tackle their challenges.
The Report recognises that whilst progress has been made, much more remains to be done. Australia is in it for the long haul, because as a global citizen we share responsibility for reducing poverty and giving people a better chance at life.
The Australian Government is committed to doing its part to tackle poverty and help to improve the lives of the 700 million people in our region who live on less than US$1 a day.
Media inquiries:
Chris Kenny (Mr Downer's office) 0419 206 890
AusAID (Public Affairs) 0417 680 590