The UN World Summit on Sus-tainable Development underway in Johannesburg is the largest UN summit ever. Its goals are to review the agenda for the 21st century and the implementation of sustainable development policies around the world.
Although Taiwan is not a UN member, there are no boundaries in environmental protection or sustainable development. The Cabinet recently reorganized its National Sustainable Development Commission. Despite many meetings of the commission, however, we still can't see a national sustainable development strategy. Are the government's policies based on the ideals of sustainable development?
A report conducted by the UN Economic and Social Council came up with a thought-provoking evaluation of the current situation on Earth, pointing out that the sea level has gradually risen, the forests have been damaged and more than 2 billion people face water shortages.
Looking at Taiwan over the past few years, concern has grown that the coastal areas of southwestern Taiwan are sinking, even without taking into account the rise in sea levels. Perhaps those who live in these areas will soon have to dive into the sea to find the playgrounds in which they spent their childhood.
Moreover, our forests have been abused and are now frequently covered by cemeteries or other construction. As a result, mudflows and landslides frequently occur in mountain areas after heavy rains.
Because of water shortages, consumers have realized that water is a precious resource. But since the Cabinet's "drought disaster-relief center" was dissolved, the issue appears to have faded away and may not come up again until the next drought.
The UN summit comes at a time when Taiwan is at a cross-roads in its development. The government has to reconsider how to push its sustainable development strategy alongside that of the international community, as well as how to protect the environment while speeding up its economic development. Otherwise, the nightmare of poverty and destruction will soon arrive.
Cheng Jen-hung is deputy secretary-general of the Consumers' Foundation, Chinese Taipei (CFCT).
TRANSLATED BY EDDY CHANG
Recently, China launched another diplomatic offensive against Taiwan, improperly linking its “one China principle” with UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 to constrain Taiwan’s diplomatic space. After Taiwan’s presidential election on Jan. 13, China persuaded Nauru to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Nauru cited Resolution 2758 in its declaration of the diplomatic break. Subsequently, during the WHO Executive Board meeting that month, Beijing rallied countries including Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Belarus, Egypt, Nicaragua, Sri Lanka, Laos, Russia, Syria and Pakistan to reiterate the “one China principle” in their statements, and assert that “Resolution 2758 has settled the status of Taiwan” to hinder Taiwan’s
Can US dialogue and cooperation with the communist dictatorship in Beijing help avert a Taiwan Strait crisis? Or is US President Joe Biden playing into Chinese President Xi Jinping’s (習近平) hands? With America preoccupied with the wars in Europe and the Middle East, Biden is seeking better relations with Xi’s regime. The goal is to responsibly manage US-China competition and prevent unintended conflict, thereby hoping to create greater space for the two countries to work together in areas where their interests align. The existing wars have already stretched US military resources thin, and the last thing Biden wants is yet another war.
As Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu’s party won by a landslide in Sunday’s parliamentary election, it is a good time to take another look at recent developments in the Maldivian foreign policy. While Muizzu has been promoting his “Maldives First” policy, the agenda seems to have lost sight of a number of factors. Contemporary Maldivian policy serves as a stark illustration of how a blend of missteps in public posturing, populist agendas and inattentive leadership can lead to diplomatic setbacks and damage a country’s long-term foreign policy priorities. Over the past few months, Maldivian foreign policy has entangled itself in playing
A group of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers led by the party’s legislative caucus whip Fu Kun-chi (?) are to visit Beijing for four days this week, but some have questioned the timing and purpose of the visit, which demonstrates the KMT caucus’ increasing arrogance. Fu on Wednesday last week confirmed that following an invitation by Beijing, he would lead a group of lawmakers to China from Thursday to Sunday to discuss tourism and agricultural exports, but he refused to say whether they would meet with Chinese officials. That the visit is taking place during the legislative session and in the aftermath