The Australian government has pledged 850 million Australian dollars (about 722 million US dollars) aid for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the regional bloc's awareness campaign against avian influenza.
Victoriano Lecaros, spokesman for the 40th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, said this at a press briefing here after the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference (PMC) with Australia.
Lecaros said the bulk of the financial assistance will go to Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines as part of the Australian government's initiative to combat the avian flu which had detrimental impacts on the socio-economic development of the ASEAN member countries.
According to Lecaros, the new funding will help ASEAN countries strengthen their ability to manage public health emergencies, with a particular focus on avian influenza.
World Heath Organization (WHO) statistics showed that from the year 2003 up to July 25 this year, there have been 319 cases of human infections globally. Of the 319 human cases, 192 have died, mostly in Indonesia and Vietnam.
During the PMC, ASEAN and Australia signed a comprehensive partnership agreement which expresses their shared desire to continue working closely together on the basis of friendship, goodwill and understanding for the realization of an integrated ASEAN Community.
The Joint Declaration on ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Partnership agreement was signed between the ASEAN Foreign Ministers and Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article