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Taiwan’s delegation attended the opening ceremony of the Our Ocean Conference April 13 in Pacific ally Palau, underscoring the government’s commitment to advancing global marine conservation efforts, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the two-day event involving experts and officials from 80-plus countries and nongovernmental organizations, the delegation is sharing Taiwan’s experiences on issues such as blue economy development, climate change mitigation and sustainable fisheries management. Taiwan and Palau are also running a series of OOC sideline events largely centered on raising awareness of the threats small island states face from extreme weather and ocean pollution. One of the highlights is a post-opening ceremony reception hosted by delegation head Chang Tzi-Chin, minister of the Environmental Protection Administration, and Surangel S. Whipps, Jr., president of Palau. The reception involved political and tribal leaders from Palau, members of the diplomatic corps stationed in the Pacific country and representatives from more than 10 participating OOC delegations. During the event, Whipps thanked Taiwan for assisting Palau in staging the OOC. As regional allies and partners, both countries are working tirelessly to bolster ocean conservation and sustainable development, he said. Chang and Whipps also took the opportunity to launch a commemorative collection of stamps featuring Taiwan’s iconic landmarks, as well as Palau’s pristine scenery and tribal heritage. This is the second such joint issuance following one in 2018. The MOFA said Chang participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony the day before for the Toward Zero Emission and Zero Waste Future exhibition. Organized by Taipei City-headquartered International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) and Cabinet-level Ocean Affairs Council, the exhibition showcases Taiwan’s ongoing efforts to solve marine sustainability challenges and strengthen climate action, the ministry added. Touching down April 12 in Palau, the delegation also includes MOFA Deputy Minister Tien Chung-kwang, TaiwanICDF Secretary General Timothy T. Y. Hsiang, OAC Deputy Minister Tsai Ching-piao and Ocean Conservation Administration Director-General Huang Hsiang-wen. (SFC-E) Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
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