E&OE
28 January 2009
World Food Programme Logistics Hub, Nazareth, Ethiopia
Response to a speech by Mr Miguel Barreto, Deputy Country Director, World Food Programme, Ethiopia
SMITH: Well Miguel, thank you very much, and I am very pleased to be here.
As you know, Australia is a very strong supporter of the World Food Programme.
I think over the years we have been consistently in the top ten donors and partners with the World Food Programme. We are very pleased to continue that assistance.
So far as Ethiopia is concerned, in the aftermath of terrible drought, we of course have made our contribution as a good international citizen. Last year, as you say, we donated $5 million and this wheat was part of the proceeds from that.
Australia has traditionally been a good international citizen, wanting to be a well‑developed country that makes humanitarian contributions. We are very pleased to do that in Ethiopia.
Part of my visit here to Ethiopia coincides with the African Union Summit of Foreign Ministers.
I will be making the point to my Foreign Ministerial colleagues that Australia not only wants to continue its contribution, it wants to enhance its contribution and engagement with the continent of Africa and the nation states of Africa.
And not just through emergency humanitarian assistance, but also through development assistance, greater people to people engagement, and greater trade and investment.
So I am very pleased to be here. Australia and the World Food Programme have been consistent and good partners and we look forward to that continuing not just in Ethiopia but in Africa generally.
[Ends]
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