
On October 26, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and Ocean Affairs Council (OAC), the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association (JTEA), and the Australian Office Taipei co-hosted a hybrid in-person/online GCTF workshop entitled “Sustainable Oceans Based on the Rule of Law.”
Held at the Capital Hotel in Tokyo, Japan, this GCTF focused on sharing knowledge and best practices on maritime law enforcement, the development, management and use of marine resources, and marine environmental conservation with developing countries from the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia.
AIT Director Sandra Oudkirk joined Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in Japan Representative Frank Hsieh and JTEA President Yasuaki Tanizaki in providing opening remarks.
In her virtual remarks, AIT Director Oudkirk called for “strong collective action to combat greenhouse gas emissions and their impact on our marine environment,” while re-affirming the U.S. commitment to “strengthening cooperation with like-minded partners on maritime security and marine protection, which is also essential to ensure the sustainability of our oceans.”
Representatives from the U.S., Taiwan, and Japan Coast Guards, as well as experts from academic and research institutions in Taiwan, Japan, and Australia provided substantive presentations on topics related to maritime security, ocean conservation and marine resource management.
AIT, Taiwan MOFA, JTEA, and the Australian Office Taipei jointly administer the GCTF, which is a capacity building platform for Taiwan to bring its expertise to bear in tackling issues of global concern.