The government is making great strides in narrowing the gender gap and ensuring the invaluable contributions of women to Taiwan’s development are fully appreciated and recognized, Premier Lai Ching-te said March 5.

The Executive Yuan released Dec. 14 its third national report on the implementation of the U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), highlighting efforts by the government between 2013 and 2016 in promoting women’s rights on all fronts.

Taiwan joined with 70 other World Trade Organization members Dec. 13 in pledging to work toward new regulations on trade-related aspects of e-commerce.

An international workshop on harnessing the potential of women entrepreneurs in the high-tech sector kicked off Nov. 14 in Taipei City, bringing together 21 experts from 12 countries to discuss best practices and the latest developments across the Asia-Pacific.

President Tsai Ing-wen Nov. 13 praised James Soong, her envoy to the recently concluded Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Danang, Vietnam, as well as Taiwan’s delegation for successfully representing the nation’s interests during the annual gathering.

Taiwan is committed to participating in regional economic integration through pursuing bilateral agreements and joining multilateral frameworks including the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, according to Minister of Economic Affairs Shen Jong-chin Nov. 9.

Taiwan, Australia and the U.S. jointly launched the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Women and the Economy Subfund Nov. 10 in Danang, Vietnam, underscoring the member economies’ shared commitment to fostering women’s empowerment across the region.

A central plank in the government’s national development strategy, the policy seeks to deepen Taiwan’s agricultural, business, cultural, education, trade and tourism links with the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, six South Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand.