Diplomacy

Celebration Marks 30 Years of Taiwan's International Aid Agency

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By TaiwanPlus

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Taiwan’s International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) is marking its 30th anniversary by unveiling a historic structural shift in how the nation delivers foreign assistance. At a Taipei celebration attended by diplomatic ally nations including Guatemala, Eswatini and the Marshall Islands, as well as partners like the US and Japan, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung announced that the ICDF will transition from a traditional aid-based model to strategic investments while upgrading its overseas technical teams into long-term local offices that will be able to operate more independently.

ICDF Celebrates 30th Anniversary

 

REPORTER:  

The world is facing several common challenges such as climate change, the rapid development of AI, public health issues, and supply chain disruptions. No country can handle these issues by itself, Taiwan included.

 

REPORTER:  

Next, we will upgrade our overseas specialized teams into long-term local offices. It will allow our teams to operate more independently and respond more effectively to changing circumstances.

 

REPORTER:  

We [ICDF] will gradually shift from an aid-based model to one that gives equal weight to aid and investment.

 

REPORTER:  

The International Cooperation and Development Fund, or ICDF, is a publicly funded organization under the foreign ministry. It provides development assistance to countries that maintain friendly ties with Taiwan.

 

REPORTER:  

Representatives from three of Taiwan's allies -- the Marshall Islands, Guatemala, and Eswatini -- attended the celebration. Unofficial partners, including the US and Japan, also took part, highlighting cooperation with Taiwan in areas such as trade, technology, healthcare, and agriculture.