Taiwan and Canada concluded a memorandum of understanding on health cooperation May 9, spotlighting their joint commitment to further cementing the bilateral partnership, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The accord was signed in Ottawa by Harry Ho-jen Tseng, head of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Canada, and in Taipei City by Jim Nickel, executive director of the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei. The event was witnessed by officials from Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Public Health Agency of Canada and Global Affairs Canada, the MOFA said.
Under the pact, the two countries will deepen collaboration on digital health, international health security, psychological care and treatment of noninfectious diseases. Relevant authorities on each side will organize reciprocal visits, hold workshops and seminars and facilitate personnel training.
Tseng said during the signing ceremony that the MOU is a milestone in Taiwan-Canada cooperation and demonstrates the countries’ rock-solid ties. The agreement is based on shared values and is in line with Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, he added.
In response, Nickel said the accord will improve the well-being of Taiwan and Canada’s people, adding that it will boost experience- and knowledge-sharing exchanges and enhance both sides’ ability to handle global health emergencies.
According to the MOFA, the MOU marks the first time Taiwan and Canada have established systematic cooperation in public health. The government will keep strengthening its relationship with Canada while the two sides continue contributing to the international health community, the ministry added. (YCH-E)
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