Pakistan Donors' Conference

Statement by Stephen Smith
Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs

Pakistan Donors' Conference

Tokyo

17 April 2009

Co-Chairs, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

I thank our Japanese hosts and the World Bank for chairing this important meeting.

It symbolises our collective resolve and determination to support Pakistan during this critical time in its history.

I am pleased that this Conference is proceeding immediately after the Friends of Democratic Pakistan meeting, during which we heard presentations from the Government of Pakistan on its priorities in key areas.

The challenges facing Pakistan security, economic and political are very significant.

They will only be met by the leadership and sustained commitment of the Government of Pakistan:

- to combat militancy and extremism
- to encourage poverty alleviation and broad-based economic growth
- and to improve standards of governance and accountability

All of this is necessary to maintain the trust of the people of Pakistan in democracy and to build investor confidence.

Australia welcomes the commitment of the Government of Pakistan this morning through President Zardari to strengthen standards of democratic governance in Pakistan, stabilise the economy and improve the lives of all Pakistanis.

The international community has a clear and direct interest in the stability of Pakistan, the strengthening of its democracy, and the revitalisation of its economy.

I welcome the participation of the broad range of international partners represented both at this Conference and at this morning's meeting.

Sustained engagement by the international community, and the closer coordination of our efforts are essential to achieving long-term stability and prosperity in Pakistan.

Australia welcomes and supports United States President Obama's new strategy for assisting Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The strategy highlights the key objective of broadening and better coordinating international assistance to Pakistan in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency, trade and economic cooperation and development assistance.

It recognises the importance of closer cooperation between Pakistan, Afghanistan and regional and international partners in addressing the extremist threat in the Pakistan- Afghanistan border region.

Australia is committed to working with the international community to assist a democratic Pakistan to tackle these challenges.

Mr Co-Chair, I visited Pakistan in February.

I held detailed discussions with President Zardari, Prime Minister Gillani, my friend Foreign Minister Qureshi and Chief of Army Staff General Kayani.

At the time, I announced a substantial increase of Australia's development assistance to Pakistan, as well as an enhancement in our defence and economic relationship.

Today I announce Australia will deliver A$120 million in development assistance to Pakistan over the next two years.

This represents a doubling of Australia's development assistance to Pakistan.

Our assistance will focus on the provision of health and education services, including in the Afghanistan border region.

This is a key element of the strategy to combat poverty and extremism in the critically under-developed regions of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and the North West Frontier Province.

We will also focus on improving rural livelihoods and strengthening standards of democratic governance and the protection of internationally recognised human rights standards.

Our assistance will be delivered in conjunction with the Government of Pakistan and international partners.

It will respond to evolving circumstances, including developments in improving Pakistan's social safety net program.

Australia will continue to work closely with the Government of Pakistan and international partners in advancing our common interest in a stable, prosperous and democratic Pakistan.

Thank you.


SOURCE: AusAID