Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang (second left) is joined by officials and keynote speakers during the 2023 NGO Leaders Forum Nov. 17 in Taipei City. (MOFA)
 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held the 2023 NGO Leaders Forum Nov. 17 in Taipei City, highlighting the international achievements of Taiwan’s government agencies and nongovernmental organizations and providing a platform for NGOs to expand collaboration with the public sector.

Titled “Allied by Universal Values: Strengthening Partnerships Between Taiwan’s Government, NGOs and Global Civil Society,” the event brought together over 200 officials, NGO leaders and workers, the MOFA said.

During his opening remarks, Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang said Taiwan is a force for good and is dedicated to realizing universal values of freedom, democracy, peace and respect for human rights. He cited its timely face mask shipments to those in need early on during the COVID-19 pandemic and donations of both money and goods to Ukraine as examples, adding that the government and NGOs must support each other in upholding these values.

Following the minister’s speech, Liberato Bautista, president of the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations, gave a keynote address on nongovernmental access to the multilateral system. He stressed that the U.N. must ensure NGOs’ full participation and leave no one behind.

Denise Scotto, vice president of the International Federation of Women in Legal Careers, gave another keynote speech on social improvement through gender equality. She praised Taiwan for leading the way in Asia and expressed her wish to see more women as leaders and decision makers.

Other symposiums were attended by Chou Ya-wei, program manager of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom’s Taipei-based Global Innovation Hub, and Lulu Keng, program manager at Freedom House, to address methods to strengthen democratic alliances and values, as well as how to encourage diverse partnerships that promote society and youth inclusion.

Launched in 2020 by the MOFA’s Department of NGO International Affairs, the forum aims to boost cooperation and exchanges between the government, businesses and civic groups from around the world. (YCH-E)