Vice President Chen Chien-jen (center) is all smiles during the Global Youth Trends Forum Nov. 9 in New Taipei City. (Courtesy of Presidential Office)
 

The government will keep supporting local youth talents in expanding exchanges and sharing ideas with peers from New Southbound Policy target countries as part of efforts to deepen Taiwan’s ties with the region, according to Vice President Chen Chien-jen Nov. 9.
 
A central pillar in this approach involves boosting the number of students from NSP target countries studying in Taiwan, Chen said. The presence of these young people in Taiwan sows the seeds of greater mutual understanding and enhanced cooperation going forward, he added.
 
Chen made the remarks while opening the Global Youth Trends Forum in New Taipei City. Organized by the Youth Development Administration under the Ministry of Education, the two-day event involved 350 attendees from 26 countries and territories.
 
According to Chen, the first-time attendance of NSP countries Bhutan, Brunei and Nepal reaffirms the value of the forum in strengthening regional connections since its inaugural edition in 2013. This year’s event is particularly significant as it centers on fostering grassroots initiatives aimed at realizing U.N. Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2030, he said.
 
Another highlight of the event was a livestreamed panel discussion moderated by Digital Minister Audrey Tang. Participants Justin Yu, co-founder of Taipei City-based Plan b Inc.; Toshiki Abe, founder of Tokyo-headquartered tour agency Ridilover Inc.; and Chebet Lesan, CEO of Kenya-based Bright Green Renewable Energy Ltd., discussed innovative ways Taiwan Can Help make headway on achieving SDGs 4, 9 and 11.
 
A key plank in the government’s national development strategy, the NSP seeks to deepen agricultural, business, cultural, education, tourism and trade ties with the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nation member states, six South Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand. (YCH-E)