The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working to build an international nongovernmental organization center in Taiwan to position the country as an Indo-Pacific INGO hub, according to Chiang Zhen-wei, director general of the MOFA’s Department of NGO International Affairs June 3.
Chiang announced that the MOFA is currently searching for a suitable location with a consultation platform to be held later. He added that the government will further deepen connections between civil groups and INGOs setting up branches in Taiwan to strengthen regional civic society partnerships, boost exchanges with global democracies and promote regional and world peace.
The ministry is also implementing measures to attract more INGOs to base themselves in Taiwan, including revising laws to allow heads of foreign civil groups to set up offices before they obtain Alien Resident Certificates, Chiang said. An NGO bilingual website and an exclusive one-stop information contact window were created, he noted, adding that subsidies are provided by the ministry for the INGO start-up and short-term rental fees.
The action aligns with civil group representatives’ aims to position Taiwan as an INGO hub at the 8th Yushan Forum held this March in Taipei City, Chiang said. He added that since 2020 over 10 INGOs have established branches in Taiwan, including Washington D.C.-headquartered Freedom House and National Democratic Institute, as well as Hiroshima-based Peace Winds Japan.
Chiang also announced a reunion of Taiwan Youth Ambassadors June 6 at Taipei Guest House. Launched in 2009, over 1,800 participants of the program have visited over 60 countries to undertake cultural exchange and public diplomacy, he said, adding that a total of 40 youth diplomats will be chosen to embark on a trip to the Marshall Islands with stops at Hawaii and Guam in late August under this year’s Indigenous diplomacy theme. (YCH-E)
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