12 November 2011
Honolulu, Hawaii
Prime Minister Harper today announced support for a project that will help promote economic growth in Peru by reducing the impact of social conflicts related to the use of natural resources. He made the announcement after meeting with Peruvian President Ollanta Humala at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders’ meeting.
“Canada is committed to contributing to economic prosperity and sustainable development in the hemisphere,” said Prime Minister Harper. “The project being announced today will accomplish both goals by improving conflict management capacity so that Peruvians can derive maximum benefit from sustainable development of their extractive sector.”
The project, entitled Conflict Management and Prevention in the Extractive Sector is a four-year (2011–2015) initiative being implemented by the United Nations Development Programme that will provide technical assistance to Peruvian state agencies and regional governments, as well as to other stakeholders. Activities will focus on training and capacity development in conflict management, support for the creation and operation of regional conflict management offices in eight regions and the promotion of dialogue at national, regional and local levels.
Canada recognizes that conflict management and prevention related to the extractive sector is key to sustainable economic growth in Peru. In addition to today’s announcement, Canada is also undertaking a number of Corporate Social Responsibility projects in the country and actively supporting the Office of the Ombudsperson (Defensoría del Pueblo)
