Chapter Eight: United Nations, Commonwealth and Other International Organisations
United Nations development organisations
The United Nations (UN) system offers Australia the opportunity to cooperate with the widest possible range of other countries in pursuit of global development.
Support for UN organisations extends the reach of Australia’s aid program. These organisations can mobilise and coordinate resources on a scale beyond the capacities of individual donors, and play a significant role in consensus building on key development issues. The UN system also provides specialist expertise in a number of areas. In 2005–06, Australia will provide $67.2 million in core contributions to the following UN development and humanitarian organisations:
| World Food Programme (WFP) United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) |
$32.5 million $8.0 million $7.3 million $7.0 million $4.2 million $4.0 million $2.0 million $1.0 million $0.6 million $0.6 million |
In 2005–06, Australia will continue to engage with key UN partners that focus on issues such as HIV/AIDS, basic education, child protection and food security. Greater policy dialogue, monitoring, and a growing trend in non-core contributions to UN agencies will encourage greater engagement of UN development and humanitarian agencies in the Asia–Pacific region. Given their proven track records in the field, UNICEF and the WFP will continue to be particularly important partners for Australia. Core contributions to UNICEF will increase by $2.5 million to $8.0 million in 2005–06, and contributions to WFP will increase to $32.5 million. Funding to UNFPA will also increase from $2.5 million to $4.0 million, including $0.5 million for work in the Pacific.