PRIME MINISTER COMMITS NEW FUNDING FOR AFRICA AND RELEASES REPORT ON CANADA'S IMPLEMENTATION OF THE G8 AFRICA ACTION PLAN

May 26, 2003
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced that the remaining $60 million in the Canada Fund for Africa will be allocated to new initiatives in the areas of agriculture and youth. He also issued a report entitled Canada Implements the G8 Africa Action Plan: Delivering on Commitments, One Year Later.

"As a principal architect of the G8 Africa Action Plan, Canada is fully committed to working with African nations that value democracy and good governance in priority areas, including health and education, trade and investment and peace and security," said the Prime Minister. "Today's funding will contribute to healthy and safe futures for young people in Africa and the development of agriculture on the continent."

The new initiatives include:

• $12 million to support the work of a Canadian coalition on HIV/AIDS on the social impact of the disease, including children's education, labour and family structures;
• $6 million to support efforts by War Child Canada and Defence for Children International-Canada aimed at helping war-affected children and youth;
• $12 million to develop activities with Canada World Youth that will bring young Africans together to discuss and address pressing development issues; and,
• $30 million to establish a centre of excellence in biosciences for agriculture, which will serve as a focal point for African scientists to develop the capacity to conduct, drive and fund advanced biosciences research programs in priority development areas.

The report, Canada Implements the G8 Africa Action Plan: Delivering on Commitments, One Year Later, outlines progress that Canada has made since the G8 Summit in Kananaskis in June 2002 in areas identified by the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). The NEPAD is a comprehensive and integrated plan developed by African leaders to address key areas, including governance, peace and security, education and health, agriculture and water as well as trade and investment.

For an electronic copy of the report, please visit http://www.g8.gc.ca/menu-en.asp

Funding for these initiatives is provided for in the December 2001 budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.

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