Australia and UNFPA strengthen cooperation
4 December 2009
AusAID Media Release
MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS STEPHEN SMITH
Today I signed a new partnership agreement with Dr Thoraya Obaid, Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
UNFPA helps governments, at their request, to formulate policies and strategies to reduce poverty and support sustainable development. The
Fund also assists countries to collect and analyse population data, helping them understand population trends and consider the needs of
future generations.
Australia's support will help advance UNFPA's work on improving reproductive health, safe motherhood, reducing HIV, eliminating gender-based violence and promoting gender equality in the developing world.
It will also assist in integrating sexual and reproductive health programs into emergency responses, so that when disasters strike there
is still access to family planning services, assisted delivery and emergency obstetric care.
This commitment is part of Australia's $200 million United Nations Partnership for the Millennium Development Goals, announced in the 2008-09 Budget. It builds on Australia's longstanding commitment to the provisions of the 1994 Cairo Declaration on Population and Development.
This partnership will enhance Australia's efforts to improve maternal and child health and promote gender equality through our development
assistance policies, programs and initiatives.
