On September 29th, the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association co-hosted a Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF) virtual seminar with the theme of Building Resilience and Accelerating the SDGs through Technology with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan) and the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and Chief Representative, Hiroyasu Izumi gave a speech at the opening ceremony.
On top of to the current global COVID-19 pandemic, the international community is currently facing various problems such as the global environment and poverty that we must cooperate to solve. In order to respond to these issues, we more and more deeply acknowledge the necessity of the concept of No One Let Behind held up by the SDGs and Taiwan has played a big role in the promotion of these SDGs.
At this virtual seminar, experts from Japan, the US and Taiwan shared their knowledge from the aspect of technology. The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association will continue to cooperate in working to achieve the SDGs.
The speech from Chief Representative Izumi follows.
Foreign Minister, Mr. Joseph Wu
AIT Deputy Director, Mr. Jeremy Cornforth
Distinguished guests,
We are very pleased to co-host the GCTF Virtual workshop related to SDGs with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan and the American Institute in Taiwan, as we did last year.
Taiwan is an extremely important partner and trusted friend to Japan, sharing fundamental values such as freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, as well as having close economic ties and people to people exchanges.
Taiwan's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the important role it plays in the global semiconductor supply chain and the advancement of scientific technology have attracted a great deal of attention from the international community.
The GCTF covers a wide range of topics, such as economy, public health, green energy, women's rights, and law enforcement, all of which widely apply to all countries and regions in the world.
It is very important for the international community to share knowledge and experience in these areas.
Understanding the value of the platform, the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has proudly participated in this framework as a full partner. The spread of COVID-19 on a global scale has reminded us of the importance of the SDGs values.
Since infectious diseases spread regardless of national borders, the entire international community must cooperate under the SDGs principle of "No One Left Behind". It is essential for the entire world to work together for our own sustainable development and prosperity, and we highly appreciate that Taiwan has been playing a major role in this effort.
On the other hand, COVID-19 has made us understand the great influence and further potential of information technology.
It is more important than ever to make the most use of AI and IT to solve global issues such as the environment, public health, and poverty. From this perspective, today's workshop will be a good opportunity to share our efforts to achieve the SDGs.
Finally, I would like to thank all of you for your efforts in organizing today's GCTF Virtual Workshop.
Thank you very much.
