Akie Abe, widow to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, spoke at the Halifax Taipei International Security Forum Monday morning on the great changes happening around the world, and the duty of the individual to make a difference.
In her speech, Abe noted that the world has undergone tremendous change post-epidemic, citing the situations in Myanmar, Afghanistan, and Ukraine, alongside numerous natural disasters. She noted that while there are challenges ahead, people should not rely on “superheroes” to save the world– rather that everyone is responsible for their own role at every level of society, from politics, and the economy, to local communities.
Abe said that Taiwan always had a special place in Shinzo Abe’s heart, and that by participating in the forum, she hoped to contribute to that legacy. She said further that the former prime minister loved Taiwan deeply, and wished for nothing more than peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region. She expressed her hope that the scholars and experts present would feel the strength of Shinzo's desire for regional peace and stability.
The Halifax Taipei International Security Forum spans from Thursday to Friday, and is the first time the annual security forum has ever been hosted outside of North America– intended as a show of international support for Taiwan. The two-day event featured speeches by many former members of government, such as former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), and scholars from over 70 countries around the world.