Taipei: Ministers from three of Taiwan's diplomatic allies have expressed their gratitude towards the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) for its long-standing foreign aid initiatives as the government-funded agency celebrated its 30th anniversary in Taipei. Guatemalan Public Health and Social Assistance Minister Joaqun Barnoya highlighted the Breast Cancer Control System project, emphasizing its role in addressing cancer treatment and screening gaps in Guatemala.
According to Focus Taiwan, Barnoya credited the collaboration with TaiwanICDF for enabling Guatemala to establish a state-of-the-art cancer treatment hospital and implement a comprehensive breast cancer screening program. This initiative included capacity building, mammography services, and a referral system connecting rural health centers to hospitals, thereby improving cancer outcomes across both urban and rural regions in Guatemala.
Eswatini's Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, praised the Women Empowerment and Microfinancing Project for its impact on financial inclusion. Khumalo noted that the project has empowered women in marginalized and remote communities to engage actively in the economy, lifting many out of poverty and fostering economic participation among young people.
Marshall Islands Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Kalani Kaneko acknowledged TaiwanICDF and Taiwan for their comprehensive support in various sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, and infrastructure. He specifically emphasized the agency's capacity-building efforts in public health, which have facilitated the training of more doctors from the Marshall Islands through government scholarships in Taiwan.
The event also saw participation from non-allied partners. Japan's top envoy to Taiwan, Kazuyuki Katayama, lauded TaiwanICDF's contributions to international development and its role in positioning Taiwan as a responsible member of the global community. He noted Taiwan's transformation from an aid recipient to a respected development partner as an inspiring model.
European Union Representative to Taiwan, Lutz Gllner, commended the agency for building partnerships, sharing expertise, and strengthening resilience in a globally interdependent environment. He extended congratulations to Taiwan and its leaders on the significant achievements realized through TaiwanICDF's initiatives over the years.