Taiwan, US, Japan, UK, Australia stage GCTF virtual forum

2021/05/21

A virtual forum on COVID-19 vaccine rollout was held under the Global Cooperation and Training Framework May 18 in Taipei City as part of government efforts to strengthen multilateral health security partnerships.
 
The daylong event was staged by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Centers for Disease Control under the Ministry of Health and Welfare; the American Institute in Taiwan; Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association; British Office Taipei; and Australian Office in Taipei.
 
According to the MOFA, high-profile participants included Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu, MOHW Deputy Minister Hsueh Jui-yuan, AIT Director Brent Christensen, and Izumi Hiroyasu, John Dennis and Jenny Bloomfield—respective heads of JTEA, BOT and AOT. More than 130 officials and experts from 36 countries and territories such as Austria, Canada, the EU, Israel, Singapore and ROC (Taiwan) ally the Holy See also took part.
 
Wu said during his opening address that given the surge in coronavirus case numbers at home and abroad, the workshop represents a timely opportunity for like-minded partners to share disease management experiences and vaccination strategies. He also took the opportunity to thank the U.K. and Australia for jointly hosting the forum, describing the participation of the Commonwealth countries as testament to the GCTF’s value in tackling issues of global concern.
 
According to Wu, despite Taiwan’s exclusion from the World Health Organization, the country continues weathering health crises like the severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, outbreak of 2003. This was partially due to the support of the U.S. and other democracies, he added.
 
The government appreciates and understands the need for global cooperation in managing cross-border challenges such as COVID-19, Wu said, adding that Taiwan will keep working to enhance global health and security as a responsible member of the international community.
 
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said: “The #Taiwan, #US, #Japan, #UK, #Australia #GCTF on #COVID19 vaccine rollout was a boon for the 135 participating officials & experts from 36 countries. Experiences were exchanged, advanced strategies shared. Global health cooperation is key to combating #Coronavirus!”
 
Since the GCTF’s launch in June 2015, more than 1,000 officials and experts from around 70 countries and territories have participated in over 30 workshops spanning disaster relief, energy security, law enforcement, media literacy, public health and women’s empowerment. The virtual is the sixth coronavirus-related event held under the platform since the onset of the pandemic, the MOFA said.


Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)