Taiwan and four allied countries in the South Pacific have signed a joint declaration on climate change. The statement was signed in a meeting by Tuvalu’s Governor Tofiga Falani, Palau’s state minister Gustav N. Aitaro, the Marshall Island’s natural resource and commerce minister John Silk, and Nauru’s climate change minister Rennier Gadabu.
The foreign ministry and the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy (TAISE) held the 2023 Pacific Climate Change Forum on Wednesday. South Pacific countries were invited to share their experiences in climate change adaptation and management. International organizations also attended the forum to join the discussion on how to build a global community through international cooperation.
Foreign minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) said in his speech that the Pacific island countries are highly vulnerable to issues including sea level rise, warming temperatures, ocean acidification, and other problems. Wu added that President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) has already announced the goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The Taiwan government has passed the Climate Change Response Act earlier this year and will be adding an environment protection administration to the ministry on August 22. Carbon fees are also expected to be in place in 2024 to promote the trading of carbon rights.
The foreign minister said he hopes that through this forum, Taiwan can establish cooperation with international partners and friends to mutually increase climate resilience and that of the Asia-Pacific region.