Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry hosted the 2024 NGO Leaders Forum on Friday, fostering dialogue between governmental and non-governmental organizations. Organized by the Department of NGO International Affairs, the event featured prominent participants, including the U.S.-based National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, Freedom House, Taiwan FactCheck Center, and Taiwan Alliance in International Development. The forum also featured a keynote address by the AI for Good Foundation CEO Dr. James Hodson.
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) highlighted the forum’s role as a vital platform for collaboration, now in its fifth year. He acknowledged the challenges Taiwan faces, such as geopolitical tensions and global supply chain shifts, but emphasized the country’s ability to seize opportunities and amplify its international influence. Lin detailed Taiwan’s comprehensive diplomacy strategy, which connects the nation with like-minded partners, strengthens democratic alliances, and fosters regional stability. He underscored the critical role NGOs play in advancing these goals, calling on leaders to embody the “Taiwan Can Help” spirit and leverage diplomacy to showcase Taiwan’s leadership globally.
This year’s forum, themed “NGOs and the Challenges of Convergence Between Digital Technology and Intelligence,” explored the impact of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. Lin expressed hope that NGOs would join "Team Taiwan" to boost the nation’s global presence while reinforcing civil society domestically.