Amb. François Chihchung WU
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
ROC (Taiwan)
August 21, 2026
(As Prepared for Delivery)
Your Excellency Robert Kennedy Lewis, Ambassador of Saint Lucia and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps;
Excellencies Ambassadors and Honorable Representatives;
Mr. Stephen Lee, Deputy Secretary General of the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF);
Participants of the Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative;
Ladies and gentlemen:
Good morning!
It is my great pleasure to join you today at the conclusion of the predeparture training for the Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative—Annual Flagship Program.
I would like to begin with my congratulations to all of you on completing your training. I also like to thank the TaiwanICDF and everyone who helped prepare you with your journey.
The Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative is one of President Lai Ching-te’s leading programs for young people. It is aimed to enable more young Taiwanese to step out of the comfort zone in Taiwan and venture into the world, broaden their horizons, and pursue their ambitions through international exchange.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) stands fully behind this meaningful project. Our overseas missions across the globe help develop cooperation and exchange activities. They leverage Taiwan’s diplomatic resources and provide you and other young people with the chance to go abroad, explore, and build stronger connections with the international community.
The Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative is closely linked with MOFA’s pursuit of the Integrated Diplomacy. This policy seeks to draw on Taiwan’s strengths in technology, business, education, culture, and civil society to boost Taiwan’s global cooperation and outreach. Young participants like you are playing an important role in facilitating and promoting the Integrated Diplomacy.
Given Taiwan’s strength in technology and working together with the Ministry of Education, we have made the theme of this year’s Annual Flagship Program “Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project: Youth International Technology Exchange.”
The program is focused on four areas where Taiwan has strong capabilities: semiconductor supply chain resilience, trusted networks and digital governance, sovereign AI, and cooperation on new energy and carbon credits. These areas echo the main themes of MOFA’s Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project.
You will soon follow your ideas and dreams overseas, heading to Eswatini, Paraguay, Guatemala, Saint Lucia, and Chile, respectively. You will be meeting the youth of these nations and engaging with schools, companies, and local communities. I hope you will share with people Taiwan’s free and democratic way of life, technological strengths, its rich and diverse culture, and people’s spirit of innovation and resilience.
If you need assistance, our overseas missions are there to support you. If you need information or advice, do not hesitate to reach the local Taiwanese embassy or representative office. Go forward with confidence, knowing that Taiwan is always behind you.
As you begin this exciting journey, I hope you will become a bridge for Taiwan, bringing the world closer to Taiwan, and Taiwan closer to the world. I believe that everyone can be a diplomat for Taiwan, and you will all be wonderful representatives of our nation.
In closing, I wish you a safe journey and great success in all your endeavors. Thank you!