The Council of Indigenous Peoples (CIP) met with the Austronesian Forum’s envoy representatives in Taiwan to hold the 2020 Executive Council meeting in Taipei today. The meeting was chaired by Executive Council Chairperson Icyang Parod. Delegates to the meeting all highly approved of the Forum’s accomplishments in various projects, and confirmed that the Forum’s general assembly will be held in the Republic of the Marshall Islands in the latter half of the following year.

Chairperson Icyang stated that the Austronesian Forum is an international organization originally initiated and established by Taiwan and was later jointly reestablished by 12 countries in the Pacific region on August 1, 2018—the Indigenous Peoples’ Day of Taiwan. The Headquarters Office was subsequently established in the Republic of Palau on September 30, 2019, and routine Executive Council meetings are convened annually. However, the Executive Council meeting originally planned for June in Hawaii this year was moved back to Taiwan due to the COVID-19 pandemic and held on a smaller scale so as to comply with pandemic control measures.

Chairperson Icyang pointed out that many important projects were completed in the past year due to the joint efforts of member countries. For example, the 2019 International Indigenous Economic Development Forum held in Taoyuan last December invited 29 speakers from 9 countries to exchange experiences and work together to improve the competitiveness of Austronesian industries. Furthermore, the 2020 Cultivation Program of Young Talents for International Affairs held this July in the Saviki tribe of Alishan Township, Chiayi County was participated by 29 trainees from Taiwan and 12 Austronesian countries, where participants engaged in the in-depth exchange and empowerment of young Austronesian talent.

CIP Minister Icyang further noted that three of the attending countries this year—Papua New Guinea, Australia, and Canada—are first-time attendants of the Executive Council meeting. Of the three, Papua New Guinea has already formally applied to join the Forum as an official member.

Contact: Sayun‧Tosu (specialist)

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