Taipei: A three-day international workshop on humanitarian assistance and disaster responses kicked off in Taipei on Monday to promote cross-border partnerships worldwide, according to one of the event’s organizers.
According to Focus Taiwan, the workshop titled “Global Public-Private Partnerships in HA/DR [humanitarian assistance/disaster response]: Disaster Governance and Sustainable Operation” was launched in Taipei, with the opening addresses made by Japan’s top envoy to Taiwan Kazuyuki Katayama and Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council Minister Wu Cheng-wen. The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), the de facto U.S. embassy in Taiwan, is one of the organizers of the event, which runs from Monday through Wednesday.
The program has attracted more than 150 participants, including 47 international attendees from 34 countries and regions. These participants comprise senior government officials, humanitarian aid professionals, and private-sector leaders who have gathered in Taipei to engage in discussions. The workshop will delve into the role of NGOs, public-private collaboration in building disaster resilience, the application of advanced technologies such as AI and early warning systems, and practices in international coordination through six thematic sessions and two panel discussions.
After the second day of the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to closely examine Taiwan’s capabilities in disaster preparedness and coordination. This will include stops at the Tzu Chi Foundation for a demonstration of innovative humanitarian technologies, the National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction, and Taipei’s Central Emergency Operation Center, as noted by the AIT press statement.
The Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF) was launched in 2015 by Taiwan and the U.S. as a platform that allows Taiwan to share its expertise on global issues alongside international partners, particularly as Taiwan faces exclusion from major international organizations due to Chinese pressure. Japan, Australia, and Canada joined the GCTF as full partners in 2019, 2021, and 2024, respectively.
Since its inception, the GCTF has facilitated 88 international workshops on topics such as public health, law enforcement cooperation, women’s empowerment, energy efficiency, e-commerce, cybersecurity, HA/DR, and media literacy. Over 10,000 government officials, experts, and civil society representatives from 133 countries have participated in these events, which have been held locally and in 17 countries worldwide, according to AIT.