Australia redirects Indo-Pacific aid to fight climate change

Sydney, Australia, Aug 8 (EFE).- Australia on Tuesday announced it is to redirect its international aid to focus on the fight against the climate crisis in the Indo-Pacific, a strategic region with growing Chinese influence.

“The opportunities and challenges we face as a global community, from climate change to social inequality, are found – and often magnified – in the Indo-Pacific,” underlines the new text of Australia’s International Development Policy.

Many small island nations dotted around the South Pacific are already suffering the consequences of the climate crisis, with rising sea levels causing the loss of territory, crops and contamination of aquifers.

In response to this crisis, Australia will ensure that at least 50 percent of the AU$3 million ($1.97 million) in bilateral and regional investment fights the climate crisis beginning in fiscal year 2024-25.

This objective will increase to 80 percent by 2028-29, according to the document published Tuesday.

Funds will also be allocated to the creation of jobs and economic opportunities at the local level, as well as investments that address measures to tackle gender inequality.

Australia, historically the main development partner in the South Pacific, re-focused its attention on the region in the wake of China’s 2022 security pact with the Solomon Islands and concerns over Beijing’s growing influence in these island nations. EFE

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