AusAID
 

The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) administers the Australian government's overseas aid program. The objective of the government's aid program is to advance Australia's national interest by assisting developing countries to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development.

The program focuses on the Asia-Pacific region, and is an expression of Australia's strong engagement and commitment to working in partnership with the region to meet its development challenges. The Asia-Pacific region has the world's highest concentration of people living in abject poverty, with more than 800 million people surviving on less than a dollar a day.

Papua New Guinea, Pacific island countries, and the poorest regions of East Asia are the areas of highest priority. The program also responds selectively to development needs in South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Development in the Asia-Pacific region fosters stability and expands trade and investment opportunities for Australia. The promotion of sustainable development addresses issues of direct interest to Australia, including HIV/AIDS, illegal migration, global environment problems, and narcotics. Specific examples of the program's contribution include building capacity for improved economic governance and sustained growth following the Asian financial crisis, assisting in the recovery and reconstruction of East Timor, and building peace and meeting humanitarian needs in the Solomon Islands.

AusAID has found that the best way of reducing poverty is to undertake projects in five key sectors: agriculture and rural development, education, health, governance (good government), and infrastructure development. These five priority sectors for Australia's aid program are all underpinned by a commitment to environmental sustainability and gender equity as key aspects of quality aid.

For further information about the Australian government's overseas aid program go to: http://www.ausaid.gov.au