Phnom Penh, 4 November 2022 (TDI): In the next four years, the Government of Australia will provide development assistance to Southeast Asia and Cambodia, according to a statement released by Australian Embassy in Cambodia on 3 November 2022.
It says that Australia will boost Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Southeast (SE) Asian countries by providing an additional $470 million for sustainable development in the next four years.
In 2022-23, Australia will provide financial assistance worth $80.8 million to Cambodia for its development, economic stability, and prosperity through development programs, the statement said.
It further added that this assistance will improve the resilience, prosperity, and sovereignty of the region. Moreover, the statement says that Australia’s top priority is engagement with Southeast Asia in enhancing and bettering sustainable development.
This assistance will upgrade the region’s resilience through support for quality infrastructure, regional security, and humanitarian assistance in times of crisis, it added.
According to the Australian Embassy in Cambodia, Australia will support the region’s economic recovery from the pandemic.
It will also support the ongoing economic prosperity by assisting women’s economic empowerment, human resources, and food security, and strengthening trade and investment in Southeast Asian countries.
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According to ODA, Australia is partnering with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to deliver essential sexual and reproductive health services to women across Southeast Asian countries.
It is also partnering with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), MSI Asia Pacific, and the International Planned Parenthood Federation in this context.
The Albanese Government will advance Australia-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, by assisting ASEAN financially and support to ASEAN’s Future Initiatives.
Australian Official Development Assistance
Australia will also increase its assistance by $900 million to Pacific Islands. The government will work with Pacific countries on climate resilience and address economic loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Besides assistance to Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Australia will make partnerships with NGOs to deliver sustainable development projects.
The Australian government will fund an additional $30 million to the Australian NGO Cooperation Program over the next four years.
