Mr Smith’s Office: Courtney Hoogen 02 6277 7500 or 0488 244901
AusAID on 0417 680 590
MEDIA
RELEASE
Stephen Smith MP
Minister for Foreign Affairs
M E D I A R E L E A S E
AA 90/09
4 December 09
Australia and the United Nations Population Fund strengthen cooperation
Today I signed a new partnership agreement with Dr Thoraya Obaid, Executive Director of the United
Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The agreement provides the UNFPA with $42.5 million over four-years and includes funds to support
UNFPA programs in the Pacific.
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.
NEWS 
