Image Credits: Taiwan Today
Taiwan reaffirmed its push for participation in the United Nations during a seminar held on September 19 in New York City. Partnering with Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United States, Taiwan organized the event to explore how technology can be leveraged to achieve sustainable development, a crucial aspect of the U.N.’s sustainable development goals. The seminar was part of the Global Cooperation and Training Framework and attracted government officials and experts from over ten countries.
Yanis Ben Amor, executive director of Columbia University’s Center for Sustainable Development, presided over the seminar, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing global challenges. Notable attendees included Tom Chih-Chiang Lee, director-general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, and representatives from Taiwan’s International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF), the U.S. Mission to the U.N., and Australian and Canadian diplomatic missions.
During his remarks, Lee emphasized the relevance of Taiwan’s inclusion in global discussions, particularly in light of the U.N.’s recent launch of the Summit of the Future, aimed at fostering international collaboration in using technology for the betterment of future generations. He pointed out that Taiwan produces over 90% of the world’s advanced chips, underscoring its vital role in global technology supply chains. Despite the U.N.’s stated goal of leaving no one behind, Lee lamented that Taiwan’s 23.5 million residents remain excluded from international forums.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) noted an increasing international consensus on Taiwan’s significance in promoting global welfare. This sentiment was echoed in a joint statement released by Australia, India, Japan, and the U.S. following their recent Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace across the Taiwan Strait for global prosperity.
Further affirmations came from additional joint statements issued by Australia and the U.S., as well as Japan and the U.S., which reiterated their commitment to stability in the Taiwan Strait while expressing concerns over China’s assertive actions in the South China Sea. Taiwan’s active participation in such discussions highlights its ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure a place on the global stage.