The 2018 advisory meeting of the Global Environmental Education Partnership wrapped up June 1 in Taipei City, with some 30 officials and experts from 14 countries discussing issues spanning circular economy, talent cultivation and collaboration among nongovernmental groups across the Asia-Pacific.
 
Co-organized by the Cabinet-level Environmental Protection Administration and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the three-day event was held under the Taiwan-U.S. initiated GEEP—a network aimed at advancing environmental literacy around the world. Participants hailed from nations including Australia, India, Malaysia, the Philippines and the U.S.
 
Liu Tsung-yung, director-general of the EPA’s Department of Comprehensive Planning, said the primary objective of the meeting was to strengthen connections among educational organizations so as to prepare for implementation of the 10 GEEP draft action plans outlined last year.
 
Focus areas under the campaign include enhancing civic engagement; providing universal access to environmental education and nature; and strengthening environmental education’s role in achieving the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.
 
Liu said that Taiwan is committed to sharing its successful experiences in fields like recycling promotion and urban waste removal. The nation is particularly eyeing collaboration with New Southbound Policy target countries so as to foster circular economy practices in Southeast Asia, he added.
 
A key plank of President Tsai Ing-wen’s national development strategy, the policy seeks to deepen Taiwan’s agricultural, business, cultural, education, tourism and trade ties with the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, six South Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand.
 
Taiwan and U.S. have enjoyed close collaboration in environmental protection since signing a technical cooperation pact in 1993. Launched in 2014, GEEP is overseen by the EPAs of both sides as well as Washington-based North American Association for Environmental Education. (CPY-E)