Promotion of eco-diplomacy will be high on the agenda of the Non-governmental Organization (NGO) Affairs Committee this year, an official said yesterday.
Speaking at a committee news briefing, deputy head Jack Chiang (
He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs-backed (MOFA) mission was comprised of experienced birders, British and Canadian bird experts and a nature photographer. It was formed following a trip by foreign ambassadors to Taiwan to the Aowanda National Forest Recreation Area last year.
The mission helped Saint Lucia to establish its own eco-tourism routes, birding Web sites and to document its bird species for the future publication of a birding guide, Chiang said.
On the committee's work assisting MOFA in the promotion of the international activities of NGOs based in Taiwan, Chiang said a Chinese-English Web site had been set up to help local NGOs apply for subsidies and also to forge links with overseas NGOs.
He said online applications for subsidies would be easier and quicker, and that the NGOs could also inquire as to the progress of their applications online.
Chiang said a section of the Web site, and its "online radio station" was dedicated to the UN's Millennium Development Goals. He said it would feature a monthly "hot topic" that was receiving attention in the international community and include an interview with a Taiwanese NGO, in the hope of increasing communication and collaboration among local NGOs and expanding their international links and activities.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday thanked Palau for its continued support of Taiwan's international participation, as Taipei was once again excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) currently taking place in Switzerland. "Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan" in the UN General Assembly, the WHO and other UN-affiliated agencies, Lai said during a bilateral meeting with visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. "We have been profoundly touched by these endorsements," Lai said, praising the Pacific island nation's firm support as "courageous." Lai's remarks came as Taiwan was excluded for the ninth consecutive year from the WHA, which is being held in
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
At least three people died and more than a dozen were injured yesterday afternoon when a vehicle struck a group of pedestrians in New Taipei City’s Sansia District (三峽). The incident happened at about 4pm when a car rammed into pedestrians at an intersection near Bei Da Elementary School. Witnesses said the sedan, being driven at a high speed, ran a red light, knocking scooters out of the way and hitting students crossing the road before careening into a median near the intersection of Guocheng and Guoguang streets. The incident resulted in three deaths and 13 injuries, including the driver, a 78-year-old man
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