Joint Media release

with Minister for Trade, The Hon Simon Crean MP

20 November 2008

Australia Strengthens APEC

Australia will provide $2 million to support human security and institutional reform initiatives with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

Australia plays a leading role in advancing APEC’s responses to human security issues such as communicable diseases, emergency disaster relief preparedness, counter-terrorism, climate change and energy security.

This additional support will see a $1 million contribution to the human security component of the APEC Support Fund which will assist developing member economies to strengthen their preparedness and resilience to natural, accidental or deliberate disruptions to their economies and the livelihoods of their citizens.

A further $1 million will help build an effective project management system within APEC. This will ensure that APEC activities, expected to be valued at more than $10 million in 2009, maximise the benefits for the Asia Pacific region. 

Australia will help ensure that the APEC Secretariat has the technical expertise to assist economies to develop and deliver high-quality capacity building initiatives.

Australia’s Foreign and Trade Ministers, Stephen Smith and Simon Crean, joined their colleagues from the 20 other APEC economies today in Lima to address the global financial crisis, build support for Doha Round negotiations and to advance APEC’s core trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation agendas. 

At the meetings, Mr Smith and Mr Crean underlined the importance of APEC to the region’s economic growth and prosperity, as well as APEC support forfinancial regulation, business mobility, science and technology, health and the environment.

Media inquiries: Mr Smith's office 02 6277 7500 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555