A workshop on strengthening civilian training was held by Taiwan, Australia, Canada, Finland, Japan and the U.S. under the Global Cooperation and Training Framework June 25-27 in Taipei City, demonstrating the countries’ shared commitment to enhancing societal defense resilience.
Jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior National Police Agency, as well as the five like-minded partners’ representative offices in Taiwan, the event involved over 260 officials and experts from 27 countries.
Opening remarks were delivered by Hsu Szu-chien, deputy secretary-general of the National Security Council, and the organizing countries’ representatives to Taiwan. Keynote speakers from home and abroad shared civil force training practices in their respective countries and discussed the design, utilization and validation of relevant programs during the event.
Participants in the workshop also exchanged views on issues such as alarm distribution systems, planning and management of evacuation and shelter facilities and cooperative mechanisms with nongovernmental organizations, the MOFA said. It added that guests from overseas took the opportunity to visit the National Civil Task Force North District Training Center and the Ximen metro station designated shelter.
Improving societal defense resilience and emergency response capabilities is of paramount importance in facing global challenges and climate change threats, the MOFA said. Taiwan will continue to work with like-minded partners to foster international exchanges and cooperation through the GCTF, and build a robust and secure society to maintain global peace and stability, the ministry added.
Since its launch in 2015 by Taiwan and the U.S., GCTF has become a critical platform for facilitating discussion of solutions to global issues. The initiative was later joined by Japan and Australia, and affiliated events have been held outside the founding countries since 2021. (YCH-E)
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