Australia Provides AU$4 Million for APEC Infectious Diseases' Defenses

Australia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with APEC to provide AU$4 million to help developing APEC economies bolster their defences against emerging and infectious diseases such as Avian Influenza.

This contribution to the APEC Support Fund will be used for capacity building projects including preparedness planning, surveillance and reporting.

These funds will strengthen coordination and response mechanisms, build effective and transparent regional communication systems, and develop business continuity and recovery plans.

Australia has been proactive in providing support to regional neighbours to ensure the protection of the region against the threat of pandemics and other emerging infectious diseases.

The AU$4 million contribution forms part of an AU$10 million commitment made by Australia at APEC 2005 to support APEC initiatives to combat Avian and Pandemic Influenza. Other elements were AU$4 million for simulations and to create a register of experts for rapid response; and AU$2 million to strengthen linkages between Australian institutions and their counterparts in developing APEC economies.

In preparation for the APEC Ministerial Meeting on Avian and Influenza Pandemics in Viet Nam earlier this year, Australia hosted a high-level APEC meeting on avian influenza in Brisbane that brought together principal pandemic and disaster management coordinators from APEC economies along with health and quarantine experts.

Australia also hosted a major simulation exercise in June designed to test communication in the event of a human influenza pandemic within the APEC region that involved the active participation of all APEC Member Economies.

The APEC Support Fund was established in 2004 through an initial AU$3 million contribution from Australia to meet capacity building needs in high priority sectors relating to economic and social development. The Fund supports projects for developing member economies in the APEC region.