PM Transcripts

PRIME MINISTER
STATEMENT BY THE PRIMkE MINISTER TIHE BON P. JT. KEATING M?
AUTSTRALIAN SUPPORT FOR SOUTH PACIFIC ENVIRONMENT-AL
ACTIVITIES During the South Pacific Forum metinp, I reafirmed Australia's o~ pPQZ foor programs
aimed at protecting the enviroximcnt of the South Pacific. I announced a number of new
meaaurs which will serv to strotngthen our existing envirornental activities.
Australia is already funding a $ 6.7 million Sea Level and Climate Monitoring Projec. in the
Pacific. In order to increase our support for the UN Framework Convention on Climate
Chzg I announced that Australia will provide a further S1.3 illfion for new progr~ ams
which will enhance the capacity of the region to monitor climate change:. The new funding
will be used to help upgrade meteorological equipment. train climnate-monitoring personnel
and provide spcialist back-up services.
Recognising that South Pacific island biological diversity is among the most threatened in
the would, Australia will provide $ 5 Ailion for a biodiversity conservation and management
project in the South Pacific as part of Aus6a4a S' 30 millon conmmitnent to the Global
Environment Facility of the World Bank. The project will be part of Australia's support of
the effective implementation of the Biodiveit' Convention.
Both the sea level and biodiversity projects will bc daclopod in close consultafion with
islad countries and the South Pacific; Regionial Environment Program ( SPREP).
1 also underlined the importance that Australia attaches to maintaining a balance between
development and environmental protection. Other environmental areas where Australia is
prorviding support include tropical forost conservation, waste management and an
enwomentprogram on Radio Australia.
Australia cont zws to be a strong supporter of SPREP. Under its auspices, Australia helped
Pacific Wsands prepare for, and attend, the UNCED metn in Rio do Januiro.
I also hope the South Pacific will play a leading role in one of the key area of follow-up to
UNCED, the conference on sustainable dvlopment for small islad developing states. In
recognition of the special environmental nteeds of small, vlnerable statci Australia wouild
be prepared to contribute towards the costs of holding the conference in the South Pacific.
Hoztiara I July 1992
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