A forum enhancing public-private partnership while promoting exchanges between locally-based nongovernmental organizations and their international counterparts was staged Dec. 14 in Taipei City, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Themed International Participation and Warm Power: Taiwan NGOs at the Helm of the Asia-Pacific, the one-day event involved 200-plus NGO leaders and experts from home and abroad. Topics discussed spanned partnership in defending human rights and democracy, promoting the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, advocating gender equality and raising the country’s profile in the international sports arena.
In his opening address, MOFA Deputy Minister Tien Chung-kwang said China is ramping up its rhetorical and military threats against Taiwan and restricting the country’s international participation. The government will continue working with local and global NGOs to enhance diplomatic efforts while expanding the country’s international space, he added.
Following his remarks, Damon Wilson, president and chief executive officer of the U.S.-based National Endowment for Democracy, praised Taiwan as one of the world’s most free countries. Taiwan is also becoming a regional hub for democrats to learn from each other in safeguarding their democratic way of life, he added.
Denise Scotto, vice president of France-headquartered International Federation of Women in Legal Careers, said Taiwan NGOs have made significant contributions to improving the daily lives of women and girls worldwide and have established a model for international cooperation.
Launched in 2020, the forum serves as a major platform to boost cooperation and exchanges between local and foreign NGOs and strengthen partnership between the government, businesses and civil society groups. (YCH-E)
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