2023 Ketagalan Forum wraps up in Taipei

2023/08/10

The seventh annual Ketagalan Forum drew experts, officials and political figures from home and abroad to Taipei City Aug. 8 to exchange views on challenges and opportunities in the Indo-Pacific.
 
During her opening remarks, President Tsai Ing-wen stressed the importance of rules-based order to stability and prosperity in the region. Taiwan remains committed to being part of the democratic alliance preventing authoritarian expansion and addressing mutual interests and concern, she said.
 
Taiwan’s technology sector will be crucial to creating a secure global supply chain at this vital juncture, Tsai said. The president also reiterated deep appreciation for like-minded partners who support the country on the world stage at critical moments.
 
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the event, held entirely in person for the first time in three years, featured two keynote speeches and three plenary sessions involving participants from 12 countries.
 
During his speech, Taro Aso, Japan’s former prime minister and current vice president of the Liberal Democratic Party, said peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are key to global security and prosperity and called on democracies around the world to work in unity to prevent a war from breaking out in the region.
 
Aso expressed support for Taiwan’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, along with its participation in the World Health Organization.
 
Andrus Ansip, former prime minister of Estonia and current member of the European Parliament, applauded Taiwan’s achievement in promoting freedom, democracy, a free market and respect for human rights. Despite threats from China, members of the free world need to stand with Taiwan and support its participation in the World Health Assembly as an observer, he added.


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