Australia's New International Development Policy Emphasises Importance of Partnership with Cambodia

Phnom Penh, August 10, 2023 --

The Australian Government has released its first international development policy in almost a decade.

According to the Australian Embassy in Cambodia, the policy reflects Australia’s enduring commitment to stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific in partnership with Cambodia and others in the region.

Among its key commitments, the policy identifies ambitious targets on climate change and the development of new strategies to drive action on gender equality, disability equity and LGBTQIA+ and human rights.

Support for local leadership and local actors is a central component of the new policy, including through a new Civil Society Partnerships Fund.

“We are also enhancing our development finance by establishing Australian Development Investments to provide up to $250 million as a catalyst for private impact investment in the Indo-Pacific,” said the embassy.

The new development policy will be supported by a robust performance and delivery framework, which will improve the quality, transparency and accountability of the development programme.

“The policy also outlines a strengthened approach to country and regional planning informed by consultation with our partners. Over the next year, we will be engaging closely with stakeholders on a new Development Partnership Plan for Cambodia,” the same source underlined. “The policy presents a programme that is fit for our times and designed to support a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”