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Geneva, 6 July 2011 - The GAVI Alliance welcomes the Australian Government-commissioned Independent Review of Aid Effectiveness released today in Canberra and commends the Australian Government on clearly and transparently setting out the strategic directions for Australia's aid programme through to 2015.
The review commends GAVI's critical work in providing life saving vaccines to children in the poorest countries in the world and for offering Australia a "proven, respected and innovative multilateral mechanism for further developing its interest in supporting countries in Africa, while at the same time minimizing the risk of aid fragmentation".
Value for money
We will increase support to multilateral organisation such as the World Bank and the Global Alliance on Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI)... that we assess as being efficient and effective, that are consistent with Australian priorities, and that deliver value for money. Australian Government's Response to Independent Review on Aid Effectiveness, Kevin Rudd, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australia |
In response to this review, Kevin Rudd, the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, welcomed the report's recommendations and said that the government would increase support for multilateral organisations such as the World Bank and GAVI which are assessed as being efficient and effective, consistent with Australian priorities and delivering value for money.
Innovative approach
Commending GAVI's strong focus on results and its innovative approach, the review sees "a case for a very large increase in core funding".
Australia has identified "saving lives" as one of five core strategic goals of the Australian aid programme and supporting large-scale vaccination is recognised as a key ingredient in achieving this.
Focus on poverty
In welcoming the review and the government's response, Helen Evans, interim GAVI CEO, highlighted its focus on poverty, which, she said, aligns with GAVI's own policy of providing support to the world's poorest countries.
"As an Australian, I am proud of the generosity of the Australian people and the Government's commendable support to those most in need."
Evans praised Australia's bipartisan approach to development assistance and the report's focus on efficiency and effectiveness, aimed at further developing an aid programme that delivers clear and measurable results.
Commitment
Expressing GAVI's wish to continue to work closely with the Australian government and civil society, she also expressed her warm appreciation of the confidence shown in GAVI by the Australian government.
This was demonstrated by its recent commitment at GAVI's pledging meeting of AUS$ 200 million between 2011 and 2013, which will support GAVI's commitment to vaccinate a quarter of a billion children by 2015.