Icyang Parod, minister of the Cabinet-level Council of Indigenous Peoples, met with American Institute in Taiwan Director Brent Christensen March 24 in New Taipei City, spotlighting the government’s commitment to fostering ties between indigenous communities at home and in the U.S.
 
The CIP is dedicated to championing the causes of the country’s tribes in line with international standards and best practices, Icyang said. To that end, the council led the way in relaunching the Austronesian Forum in 2018 with the support and participation of numerous Pacific countries and territories, including Guam and the U.S. state of Hawaii, he added.
 
The minister also extended a formal invitation for the U.S. to join the forum as a member. According to the CIP, the meeting was the first time the director of AIT has visited the government agency responsible for indigenous affairs.
 
Initiated by Taiwan and headquartered in Palau, the Austronesian Forum includes allies Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau and Tuvalu, as well as Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines, with Central American ally Belize participating as an observer. (DL-E)
 
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