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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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PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555
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