22 May 2013
Lima, Peru
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced Canadian support for new development initiatives in Peru that will help the country take full advantage of its wealth of natural resources and improve basic education for children.
“Canada is committed to working with countries in the Americas to support development through sustainable economic growth and improved education,” said Prime Minister Harper. “The initiatives announced today will help Peru to maximize the benefits of its natural resources and ensure that Peruvian children receive the education they need to succeed.”
Specifically, the support announced today will help strengthen environmental impact assessments in Peru’s extractive sector, improve the management of natural resources at the regional level, and diversify economic opportunities in extractive regions. One of the initiatives announced today will help improve basic education for Peruvian children, especially among vulnerable groups such as young girls and children living in rural areas.
Peru is one of Canada’s 20 countries of focus for development cooperation. Canadian international development assistance is aligned with Peru’s stated development priorities, with programming focused on children and youth, and sustainable economic growth. Government of Canada support to Peru totaled $28 million in 2011-2012.
Canada’s engagement in the Americas has been a foreign policy priority since 2007.
