Kelly Wu-Chiao Hsieh
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Republic of China (Taiwan)
April 30, 2019
Ladies and gentlemen:
Good morning!
It is a privilege to attend the opening ceremony of the 2019 GCTF International Workshop on the Programmatic Management of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis. On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I extend a very warm welcome to all participants!
I wish to thank the Centers for Disease Control and Ministry of Health and Welfare for organizing the workshop. Our appreciation also goes to the American Institute in Taiwan for bringing together an excellent group of professionals, and the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association to cohost the event. It is wonderful to see that experts from nine countries across the Indo-Pacific have joined us to discuss how we can work together in the fight against tuberculosis.
Let me highlight the significant achievements of the Global Cooperation and Training Framework, or GCTF. Taiwan and the United States signed an MOU in 2015 to establish the GCTF. It has served as a platform for Taiwan and the United States to work with regional partners in key areas such as women's empowerment, narrowing the digital gap, media literacy, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and public health.
Since the launch of the GCTF, we have held 18 workshops and invited over 350 officials and experts from 33 countries to improve capacity building in these areas. The first workshop in 2015 focused on public health―specifically, the MERS virus. In fact, six GCTF workshops so far have been devoted to public health topics. This is a reflection of Taiwan's strengths in this field.
There is always room to improve when it comes to the health and wellbeing of all mankind. It is especially meaningful that this workshop is taking place on the eve so soon before the 72nd World Health Assembly.
Due to political factors, Taiwan is currently excluded from the Assembly and WHO technical meetings, mechanisms and activities. However, we are ready and willing to contribute our expertise and experience in public health to the international community and assist even more nations with improving their medical capacity.
We look forward to continuing to work with all international stakeholders, so as to achieve WHO goals for global health. We believe that safeguarding health transcends borders. In worldwide endeavors to realize higher health standards, Taiwan can help.
In closing, I wish this workshop every success! And I hope all of you will take some time to experience Taiwan's natural beauty and cultural diversity. Thank you!