With assistance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan's Environmental Quality Protection Foundation (EQPF) was proud to participate in this year (2019)'s General Assembly of Green Cross International (GCI), a nongovernmental organization that enjoys consultative status with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The organization is chaired by Mr. Mikhail Gorbachev, former President of the USSR. This year's meeting was held in Dallas, USA, from October 25 to 27. Participants addressed such issues as ecology, peace, and chemical weapons. EQPF Chair Dr. Hsieh Ying-shih participated in the meeting and voted under the name "GC Taiwan" for the first time. In the future, the group may host GCI activities, expanding its participation and influence. MOFA also helped the EQPF publish the book Climate Change Law this June.
The mission of GCI is to respond to poverty, environmental degradation, and security threats. It promotes legal and ethical norms to change values, actions, and attitudes, and works to prevent and resolve conflicts arising from environmental degradation. GCI oversees many programs, including Water for Life and Peace and Smart Energy. Through these, it works to ensure the basic human right to water and sanitation facilities, and addresses rising global energy demands due to population increase. GCI believes overreliance on fossil fuels is the main driver of climate change. It is also working to develop sustainable energy and help with the transition from carbon-based economies to a clean, sustainable energy model that is accessible to all.
#Green Cross International
#United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
#Environmental Quality Protection Foundation
#Climate Change Law
#Water for Life and Peace program
#Smart Energy program