The 68th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) will be held in New York from March 11 to 22. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan), in cooperation with Taiwanese nongovernmental organizations, has arranged for Taiwan Gender Equality Week (TGEW) to be held in New York at the same time. The priority theme of CSW68 is “accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim issued a joint statement after the second Australia-Malaysia Annual Leaders’ Meeting on March 4 that acknowledged the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and noted that all parties have a stake in conflict prevention.

Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu said Feb. 29 that democracies around the world need to work together to prevent authoritarian expansion and that Taiwan looks forward to deepening cooperation with India across the board.

Taiwan is taking part in the World Trade Organization’s 13th Ministerial Conference Feb. 26-29 in Abu Dhabi to exchange views with other member economies on issues of common interest, the Executive Yuan Office of Trade Negotiations said Feb. 24.

While attending the 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Taiwan joined more than 40 WTO members at a side event held on February 25 to convey solidarity with Ukraine. The participants, including the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, issued a joint statement expressing support for Ukraine.

Representative to the United States Ambassador Alexander Tah-ray Yui and American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Managing Director Ingrid Larson signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on international development cooperation on February 22. The signing was witnessed by representatives from the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and officials from the US State Department.

The U.S. government’s decision to approve an arms sale valued at US$75 million is sincerely welcomed by the government and people of Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Feb. 22.

At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Chen Chien-jen received a National Development Council briefing on the Asia Silicon Valley Development Plan 3.0. The premier said this third phase of the plan will focus on the development of technologies including artificial intelligence, 5G and satellite networks in order to accelerate both the digital transition and net-zero carbon transition of Taiwan’s industries.

Taiwan and India concluded a memorandum of understanding Feb. 16 to facilitate employment of Indian workers in Taiwan, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) extends sincere congratulations to Indonesia on the smooth completion of democratic elections for its president and parliament on February 14.