PILP with Taiwan gets underway in Taipei

2015/10/07

Pacific Islands Leadership Program with Taiwan kicked off Oct. 5 in Taipei City, reaffirming the importance of cooperation among Taiwan, the U.S. and Pacific island nations.

Comprising 25 officials and professionals from 11 Pacific island nations, attendees will take part in a variety of activities during their stay in Taiwan.

“Over the next four weeks, participants will gain a better understanding of Taiwan’s foreign policy, economic and social achievements, as well as exchange views with officials, scholars and business leaders,” Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruce Linghu said at the opening ceremony.

“By helping participants develop the necessary leadership skills to shape the future of their nations, we look forward to sharing Taiwan’s successful development experiences and working with our Pacific island colleagues to address the serious challenges facing the region.”

According to Linghu, the U.S. pivot to Asia illustrates the growing importance of the region, with Taiwan committed to maintaining peace and stability in the area.

“We aim to contribute to the continuous development of our diplomatic partners through cooperation in education, capacity building, food security, fisheries, health care, culture and renewable energy—all key topics to be covered in the PILP with Taiwan program.”

Also attending the ceremony were ambassadors to the ROC of Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu, as well as representatives from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and the U.S.

Laura Anderson, a political officer with the American Institute in Taiwan, said Taipei and Washington have joined hands to strengthen relations with Pacific island nations on the basis of deep and enduring ties with those countries, as well as core values of respect for human rights, democracy, rule of law and transparency.

“The PILP is another example of U.S.-Taiwan cooperation with partners throughout the region,” she said, adding that the U.S. is proud to work with Taiwan so that the world can learn more from its depth and expertise in tackling regional and global challenges.

Co-hosted with U.S.-based education and research institution East-West Center, PILP with Taiwan is in its third year and aims to cultivate 125 young leaders across the region skilled in leadership and building cooperation by 2017.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=237430&ctNode=2194&mp=9)