PIANGO

JOINT STATEMENT

New Zealand And Australia Fund Piango Activities In The Region

Suva, Fiji (9 June, 2008) − The Pacific Islands Association of Non Governmental Organisations (PIANGO) today received funding of FJD$4.5 million from the New Zealand Agency for International Development (NZAID) to implement programmes over the next three years. A further FJD$370,000 was also received from the Australia Overseas Aid Program (AusAID) to fund PIANGO’s activities over the next 12 months.

At a signing ceremony between representatives of both Governments and PIANGO held at the JJ’s on the Park in Suva today, Bakanebo Tamaroa, PIANGO’s Executive Director, said it was a historic and significant milestone for the organisation, particularly in building effective relationships between NGOs and donors and in assisting with harmonising the work of the region’s major development partners.

“It is an honour to be the recipient of these generous funds from New Zealand and Australia, which will help PIANGO fulfill its mandate to strengthen the capacity of NGOs in the Pacific. The NZAID assistance allows us to implement activities in the PIANGO Strategic Plan of 2006-2010. The timely funding from AusAID will also contribute greatly to adding value to implementation of our programmes in the region,” he said. Mr. Tamaroa thanked NZAID for its continued support of and trust in PIANGO over the past 17 years and acknowledged AusAID for its recognition of the work of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in assisting national governments accomplish commitments to CSOs. Acting New Zealand High Commissioner, Caroline McDonald said both the New Zealand Government and PIANGO have a shared interest in an active, informed and effective network of Civil Society Organisations in the Pacific. Through funding PIANGO, New Zealand aims to contribute to the strengthening of governance at regional, national and local levels, including through building deeper relationships between governments and wider society.

‘This three-year funding arrangement marks the next phase in partnership between PIANGO and New Zealand’, Ms McDonald said Australian High Commissioner James Batley said the Australian Government, through AusAID's Pacific Leadership Program, is pleased to be partnering with PIANGO. "PIANGO is ideally placed to have an impact on the leadership practice of current and emerging leaders in the civil society sector. The Australian Government looks forward to developing the partnership between PIANGO and AusAID's Pacific Leadership Program."

The PIANGO Executive Director Bakanebo Tamaroa said discussions in engaging into a strategic partnership with AusAID look positive and this will see both NZAID and AusAID working together through PIANGO to contribute to regional governance and leadership initiatives.

ENDS

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