News Archive
Prime Minister’s Special Envoy visits the Democratic Republic of the Congo
14 August 2011 - The Special Envoy of the Prime Minister, Mr Bill Fisher visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from 7 to 10 August 2011. Mr Fisher was accompanied by the Australian Ambassador-designate, Mr Matthew Neuhaus and Second Secretary, Ms Keara Shaw. The delegation was received by the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Minister for International and Regional Cooperation and discussed ways in which Australia can support the DRC's development, especially in areas of mining and agriculture, as well as ongoing humanitarian assistance.
Australia entered into diplomatic relations with the DRC earlier this year. Mr Neuhaus was nominated to be Australia’s first Ambassador to the DRC. Agrement was received from the Government of the DRC in June and the Ambassador designate looks forward to presenting credentials to the President, His Excellency Mr Joseph Kabila in the near future.
With diplomatic relations now established, Australia looks forward to strengthening and deepening its engagement with the DRC in the coming years.
Friends of Zimbabwe meet in Brussels
30 June 2011 - Australia is a member of the Friends of Zimbabwe group of donor countries and multilateral organizations which met in Brussels on June 28 to discuss how to support the current political and economic situation in Zimbabwe and efforts underway in the region to facilitate free and fair elections. The group pledged it is, “ready to broaden our support as the country moves further down the path of democracy and respect for human rights.”
The group released a communiqué June 28 praising stronger regional engagement and reiterating its continued commitment and support for a prosperous and democratic Zimbabwe. While commending macroeconomic stabilization begun in 2009, it also emphasized that the economy remains fragile and in dire need of domestic and foreign investment. The group repeated previous calls for an end to ongoing political violence and intimidation, the disregard of human rights, and weak rule of law, as well as politically-motivated arrests.
In particular, the group commended SADC and South African President Zuma for the progress made in facilitating the implementation of the Global Political Agreement and in calling for the necessary conditions for democratic elections. The group stated, “We support this important process and stand ready to review and adjust, as appropriate, the full range of our efforts and policies in response to real progress in the democratization process.”
The Friends of Zimbabwe group is composed of the principal donor countries and multilateral organizations committed to improving Zimbabwe’s democratic and economic development. Combined, group members provided Zimbabwe with USD 587 million in assistance in 2010 and intends to further increase its aid in 2011. Friends of Zimbabwe assistance is given to support democratic reform, the reestablishment of basic health and education services, and improving livelihoods and social protection for the poorest Zimbabweans, especially women and children. The group also contributes to the recently established ZIMFUND managed by the African Development Bank to support the rehabilitation of critical water and power supplies.
The full Communique is attached here.
African Regional Diplomacy Training – Pretoria 2011
5 July 2011 - From 27 June to 15 July, 10 new recruits from the Zambian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will participate in the African Regional Diplomacy Training Course in Pretoria. Joined by colleagues from Tanzania and Swaziland, the new diplomats travelled to Pretoria for three weeks of intensive training to further develop their skills as diplomats and enhance the capacity of their home agencies upon their return. Funded by AusAID, the training was offered to a total of 30 nominees, 10 from each country and delivered in conjunction with the University of Queensland and the University of Pretoria. The course builds upon the existing diplomacy and international relations skills and knowledge of participants, and offers specialised training across a wide range of topics. The program covers the history of diplomacy, international relations, world politics and modern diplomacy, international law, operating environments, transnational security challenges, conflict resolution and negotiation, human rights, consular and crisis management, development assistance, protocol, representation, public diplomacy and media management, presentation skills and speech writing, cable and report writing and information security.
Second Secretary Australian Embassy Harare, Keara Shaw (second left) welcomes Zambian participants to the African Regional Diplomacy Training Course in Pretoria.
High Commissioner Neuhaus to present credentials to Zambian President
Australian High Commissioner-designate to Zambia Matthew Neuhaus (resident in Zimbabwe) will present credentials to the President of Zambia, His Excellency Rupiah Banda, on Wednesday 1 June 2011. The presentation of credentials will formally recognise High Commissioner Neuhaus as the Australian Government representative to Zambia. During his visit, High Commissioner Neuhaus will underline Australia’s commitment to strengthening its engagement with Zambia. The bilateral relationship is sound and expanding with more than a dozen Australian companies invested in Zambia’s minerals sector. The Australian Government through AusAID is also providing an increasing number of post-graduate scholarships to Zambian students. With our shared Commonwealth heritage, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth in October will also provide an opportunity for high level engagement.
High Commissioner Neuhaus presents credentials to Malawian President
On 17 May 2011, the Australian High Commissioner to the Republic of Malawi, Matthew Neuhaus presented credentials to His Excellency Ngwazi Professor Bingu wa Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi. Below is a transcript of the High Comissioner's formal speech to the presentation.
Your Excellency
It gives me great pleasure to be able to present my letters of commission from the Governor-General of her Australia Her Excellency Quentin Bryce AC as High Commissioner of Australia to the Republic of Malawi.
Australia and Malawi share a long history of close relations as fellow members of the Commonwealth of Nations. We look forward to welcoming Your Excellency to the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting which will be held in Perth, Australia later this year.
Australia is also a growing contributor to Malawi’s development. I am delighted by our increasing assistance and cooperation in areas of water and sanitation, agriculture and food security, maternal and child health, professional training and mining.
On mining, we are delighted by the success of Paladin Mining from Perth in the development of the Kayelekera Uranium Mine in northern Malawi. This is making an important and increasing contribution to Malawi’s economy as well giving our bilateral relationship a sound economic basis of mutual interest. We see further potential in the area of mining as your government’s policies continue to encourage exploration and investment in this crucial sector for Malawi’s future prosperity.
Finally Your Excellency I would like to highlight the visit of a Parliamentary delegation led by the Speaker of the National Assembly of Malawi to Australia only this month. The success of that visit symbolized the growing closeness of our relations. It is a relationship I will do all in my power to strengthen during my time with you as High Commissioner of Australia.
17 May 2011
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Australia boosts aid commitment to Africa
Australia has announced it will increase its development assistance to Africa by a further AUD $90 million in 2011-12 bringing its total to AUD$291.3 million (approximately US$305 million). The additional funding was announced as part of the 2011-12 Budget delivered by Treasurer Wayne Swan on 10 May 2011. The Australian Government has contributed over $120 million to development projects in Zimbabwe since the Global Political Agreement came into force in February 2009.
“This increase in development assistance to Africa will directly benefit the people of Zimbabwe” Ambassador Matthew Neuhaus said. “Support to the recovery of Zimbabwe is an important part of our engagement with Africa, and Australia will continue to provide support in areas where we have a wealth of experience and can offer the most benefit to Zimbabwe”.
By focussing on the priority areas of water, sanitation, food security and agriculture, the Australian Government will continue to provide support to address the needs of the most vulnerable and promote stability and economic growth in Zimbabwe.
Australia will continue to promote market-friendly agricultural practices through its development assistance to Zimbabwe to empower farmers and strengthen the economic performance of the country. This work will increase employment opportunities and raise incomes for poor rural communities.
In response to the cholera epidemic of 2008, Australia expanded its assistance in the field of water and sanitation. Ongoing rehabilitation work in the water and sanitation sector will improve the health and quality of life of Zimbabweans, particularly the poor and vulnerable.
Australia’s development assistance to Zimbabwe is managed by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and is delivered through partnerships with multilateral and regional organisations and bilateral donors, as well as non-government and community based organisations.
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Harare International Festival of the Arts 2011 - Australian Pianists
The Australian Embassy has continued its support for the Harare International festival of the Arts (HIFA) in 2011. For the second year running, the Australian Embassy in Zimbabwe has sponsored the performances of Coady Green and Leigh Harrold at HIFA. Green and Harrold enthralled a packed out audience in central Harare as part of the six day festival celebrating international music, dance, theatre and culture. The duo played a mix of classical and Australian compositions on two grand pianos, especially brought into the recital hall for the event. Many of the audience members were return guests after attending performances by Green and Harrold at HIFA last year.
HIFA is celebrated annually in Harare over the last week of April. A locally organised event, HIFA is supported by a number of Embassies in Zimbabwe who sponsor musicians, actors, dance groups and artists to perform for Harare audiences in a weeklong festival. Downtown Harare venues are transformed into festival venues showcasing theatre, dance, music, circus, street performance, spoken word, and visual arts events. HIFA 2011 was the 12th festival since its inception in 1999. HIFA is the largest cultural event in Zimbabwe and is recognised as being one of the 8 major festivals in Africa.
For more information, please visit the HIFA website.