New Southbound Policy Portal

The decision to correct the country designation of six Taiwan cities on the website of Brussels-headquartered Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCOM) is welcomed by the government and people, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Sept. 28.
 
According to the MOFA, the special municipalities of Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung—from north to south—were incorrectly listed as part of China. A protest was immediately issued, the ministry said, adding that it further instructed Taipei Representative Office in the EU and Belgium to liaise with GCOM in rectifying the situation.
 
The office quickly opened talks with GCOM before reaching out to Brussels-headquartered International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, one of the global alliance's founding partners. In addition, the mayors of the six metropolises sent a joint letter to GCOM Sept. 27 requesting it address the issue posthaste.
 
The day before, Kaohsiung City Mayor Chen Chi-mai directed staffers to convey his dismay over the matter via email to ICLEI Secretary General Gino Van Begin.
 
According to the MOFA, the contributions of individuals and organizations such as European Economic and Trade Office in Taiwan are sincerely appreciated. The government will continue supporting Taiwan’s local governments as they combat climate change and work to realize the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, the ministry said.
 
Established in 2014, GCOM comprises over 10,000 cities and municipal governments dedicated to achieving the objectives of the Paris Agreement. Its founding partners include ICLEI, Spain-based Global Network of Cities, Local and Regional Governments and U.S.-headquartered C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group. (YCH-E)
 
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