27 January 2009
Visit to Ethiopia and the African Union
I will travel to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from Tuesday 27 to Friday 30 January, to attend the Foreign Ministers (Executive Council) meeting of the African Union.
This will be the first time an Australian Foreign Minister has attended a meeting of the African Union.
The African Union is the principal body for African cooperation. It advances Africa’s economic development and security priorities. It is an increasingly important partner for the international community and for Australia.
In Addis Ababa, I will personally convey the Australian Government’s commitment to enhancing and deepening our relationship with the nations and the continent of Africa.
I will meet with a range of my Foreign Ministerial counterparts to discuss Australia’s engagement in and with Africa.
Africa’s relevance and importance for Australia is growing.
More than 300 Australian minerals and petroleum resources companies are active throughout Africa, with existing and prospective investments estimated at up to US$20 billion.
Our trade has grown steadily over the past decade.
Our people-to-people links are strengthening. Nearly 9000 African students are currently at Australian schools, colleges and universities. Many Australians live and work in Africa.
The Australian Government intends to build on these foundations. Australia should be part of Africa’s future in areas where our expertise and experience can make a positive contribution to the continent’s development.
As I outlined at the United Nations General Assembly in September last year, Australia wants to be part of progress towards the Millennium Development Goals in Africa, concentrating in our areas of comparative advantage: food security, maternal and child health, water and sanitation.
Humanitarian assistance has always been an important part of our aid to Africa and the Australian Government wants to build on the active engagement by Australian NGOs across the continent.
During my time in Ethiopia, I will also visit projects where Australian assistance is providing essential humanitarian relief. I will visit the Dabe Watershed World Food Program (WFP) development site and the World Vision Adama Food Trees Project site. I will also meet with Dr Catherine Hamlin at the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital.
Media inquiries: Mr Smith's office 02 6277 7500 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555