Travel To Colombia, Jamaica, Barbados And The United States Of America

Media Release

BOB McMULLAN MP
PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE FEDERAL MEMBER FOR FRASER

1 December 2009

Travel to Colombia, Jamaica, Barbados and the United States of America

Today I depart Australia for the Americas and the Caribbean.

The main purpose of my trip is to represent Australia at the Summit on a Mine-Free World in Cartagena, Columbia.

The Summit is an important milestone in the life of the Mine Ban Convention, which celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2009.

Delegates attending the Summit, representing governments, the United Nations and other international organisations, will review progress over the past decade and agree on a course of action to guide international mine action over the next five years.

Australia was an original signatory to the Mine Ban Convention and has since remained active in global efforts to reduce the threat of landmines and other explosive remnants of war.

Australia will present our new Mine Action Strategy at the Summit. Under the Strategy, Australia will pledge $100 million over the next five years working towards a world free from landmines, cluster munitions and other explosive remnants of war.

My attendance at the Summit will reinforce Australia's ongoing commitment to mine action.

I will also be meeting with Government officials in Jamaica and Barbados to discuss Australia's new $60 million development partnership with the Caribbean.

This agreement begins a new phase in Australia's relations with the countries of the Caribbean, with a focus on building regional economic resilience and integration and supporting small island states address the threat of climate change.

I will also be visiting New York to participate in the annual Pledging Conference for the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund.

Media Contact:
Sam Casey (McMullan)
0421 697 660

AusAID Public Affairs
0417 680 590

Media releases and speeches are available on AusAID's website www.ausaid.gov.au

SOURCE: AusAID