The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will organize a birdwatching expo in cooperation with a local non-government organization (NGO) in November in an effort to promote “eco-diplomacy,” a ministry official said.
“In line with the global trend toward conservation and environmental protection, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will work with the Wild Bird Society of Taipei to hold the 2008 Taipei International Birdwatching Expo,” said Chen Bor-show (陳柏秀), executive secretary of the ministry’s NGO Affairs Committee.
The ministry will invite environmental protection groups from the US, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, South Africa and China to take part in the event, which is scheduled for Nov. 8, he said.
“Taiwan’s efforts in bird conservation and environmental protection have been well recognized in the international community over the years,” Chen said. “The main point of holding such events is so we can combine conservation and tourism.”
Chen cited a Wall Street Journal report on Sept. 12 that described Asia as “the place to be” for birdwatching.
The report cited a 2001 survey by the US Fish and Wildlife Service that estimated the US had 46 million birders who spent a total of US$32 billion per year on travel, binoculars, field guides, clothing and various other related items, creating 860,000 jobs.
“Such numbers have led countries like Taiwan and the Philippines to start promoting birdwatching as a tourist attraction, “ the report said.
Chen said Taiwan’s experience in conservation was a new area to explore for improving foreign relations.
Describing a mission undertaken by the NGO committee to help develop eco-tourism and birding infrastructure in Saint Lucia as a resounding success, Chen said some allies in the South Pacific have also expressed interest in working with Taiwan in those areas.
“The Foreign Ministry will send experts to conduct evaluations before discussing potential cooperation projects with our other allies,” he said.
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