Dr. Lin Chia-lung
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Republic of China (Taiwan)
November 29, 2024
(As Prepared for Delivery)
Ladies and gentlemen:
Good morning!
Welcome to the 2024 NGO Leaders Forum hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). This marks the forum’s fifth year, as it continues to serve as a dynamic platform for dialogue between the government and NGOs. We value this annual event and look forward to hearing the insights of our robust civil society.
Taiwan faces challenges posed by the evolving geopolitical landscape and the restructuring of global supply chains. Despite these challenges, we also see many opportunities for Taiwan to expand its role on the world stage.
MOFA is committed to advancing integrated diplomacy, using three main approaches: promoting democracy through values-based diplomacy, fostering peace through alliance diplomacy, and driving prosperity through economic diplomacy. Our efforts aim to build a democratic value chain that counters authoritarianism, strengthens Taiwan’s ties with its allies and like-minded countries, and ensures regional stability, mutual benefit, and shared prosperity.
We have proactively encouraged INGOs to set up offices in Taiwan. With the support of this Ministry, several prominent INGOs dedicated to democracy, freedom, and human rights have registered in Taiwan, such as Freedom House from the U.S. and Peace Winds from Japan. Their presence highlights global recognition of Taiwan’s commitment to these values, fostering a virtuous cycle of progress. We look forward to playing a pivotal role in connecting the Indo-Pacific democratic community and making Taiwan an INGO hub.
At this critical juncture, Taiwan’s public and private sectors continue to demonstrate resilience, innovation, and solidarity. We have shown the world not only that Taiwan can help but also that Taiwan can lead through integrated diplomacy.
The main theme of this year’s forum is “NGOs and the Challenges of Convergence between Digital Technology and Intelligence.” Emerging technologies like AI, big data, and digital platforms are shaping the world and revolutionizing how we communicate, collaborate, and respond to change. For NGOs, these developments bring both immense opportunities and critical challenges. By combining government resources with civil society’s creativity, Taiwan can promote its international participation more efficiently and strengthen its global influence.
Today, we are privileged to be joined by Dr. James Hodson, CEO of the AI for Good Foundation from the United States. He is a visionary in the AI era and a staunch supporter of global humanitarian efforts. In addition to leading groundbreaking work on AI-driven solutions, Dr. Hodson serves as a member of Ukraine’s Economic Policy Committee and is part of an expert group advising the Ukrainian Ministry of Economy. On behalf of the people and government of Taiwan, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Hodson for sharing his invaluable knowledge with us.
The NGO leaders and participants here today are the driving force behind Taiwan’s vibrant civil society and play an integral role in our diplomatic efforts. Your passion, creativity, and commitment have shown the world that Taiwan is not just a participant in global conversations but also a leader in shaping the future. Everyone here is a diplomat. Together we are Team Taiwan, contributing to Taiwan’s global presence and impact. By leveraging your expertise and dedication, you have unlocked the fantastic potential of diplomacy and civil society in addressing global challenges.
I would like to thank you all once again for joining us today. I look forward to seeing the collaboration that emerges from today’s discussions. Together we can continue to make Taiwan’s contributions to the international community even more extraordinary.
I wish today’s forum great success and all of you good health and a fruitful day. Thank you.