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.

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.

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.

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.

Taiwan is committed to cooperating with all World Trade Organization members to support the international body’s work, Taiwan’s permanent mission in Geneva said at the Global Review of Aid for Trade earlier this month.

Days of heavy rain in the southern Philippines have resulted in the deaths of at least 20 people and have impacted over 810,000 residents. The heavy rains also triggered a disastrous landslide in a mining community in the province of Davao de Oro in southern Mindanao. Search and rescue operations are currently underway.

A roundtable seminar on Taiwan’s bid to participate in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership was staged Jan. 31 in Kuala Lumpur, spotlighting government support from its Southeast Asian like-minded partner, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs offered congratulations to Li Meng-lian, who was selected for this year’s Young Professional Programme organized by the World Trade Organization, Feb. 3 in Taipei City.