A workshop on using technology to build resilience and accelerate progress on realizing the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals was staged by Taiwan, the U.S. and Japan under the Global Cooperation and Training Framework Sept. 29 on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.
Organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, American Institute in Taiwan and Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, the daylong virtual focused on deepening collaboration among democracies in advancing sustainable development and inclusive prosperity.
High-profile participants included MOFA Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu, AIT Deputy Director Jeremy Cornforth, JTEA Chief Rep. Hiroyasu Izumi and Jeffrey Prescott, deputy to the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Around 80 experts and officials from 26 countries and territories took part via video link.
During his opening remarks, Wu said Taiwan is an indispensable member of the global community in combating COVID-19 and promoting the SDGs. The country is willing and able to share its related expertise and contribute to the post-pandemic recovery, he added.
It is time for the U.N. to face the reality of Taiwan’s existence, Wu said, adding that concrete steps must be taken to address the country’s improper exclusion from the world body’s system.
Cornforth said in his remarks that although Taiwan is unable to meaningfully participate in many international organizations, such platforms as the GCTF serve to showcase its important contributions to tackling shared global challenges. The U.S. remains committed to expanding Taiwan’s international space, he added.
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA wrote “#Taiwan, #US & #Japan staged the #GCTF Workshop on Building Resilience & Accelerating the #SDGs through Technology on the sidelines of #UNGA. 80+ officials, experts & academics from 26 countries teamed up to spur global action on shared challenges!” (SFC-E)
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