Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs François Chih-chung Wu attended the closing ceremony of a one-month training program for youth from diplomatic allies July 23 in Taipei City, anticipating that the participants would return home to promote development in their own countries.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the first session of the “2026 Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative—Diplomatic Allies Inbound Track Program” drew 22 trainees from allies Eswatini, the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu. Ambassadors Anjanette Kattil and Lily Tangisia Faavae from the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu, respectively, also attended the ceremony, the ministry said.
This year marked the second edition of the program, and demonstrates the importance Taiwan attaches to its allies and their youth, Wu said. The MOFA cooperates with the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) to offer the event which covers professional training, cultural exchange, and personnel development. The training empowers allies’ youth to further develop and advance partnerships with Taiwan upon their return, he added.
The deputy minister stated that this year’s program focused on smart practices in two important sectors, agriculture and medicine. Smart agricultural practices such as using artificial intelligence applications, innovations and sustainable development were covered; while medical care encompassed enhancing healthcare quality through the use of AI, digital health and medical technology. Taiwan’s experience in these sectors was offered through specialized courses, visits to enterprises and institutions and cross-cultural exchange activities, he added.
The program launched after President Lai Ching-te’s 2024 visit to the Marshall Islands, during which he proposed local youth training and exchange to President Hilda Heine, the MOFA said. The youth training forms one part of the integrated diplomacy initiative and Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project that seeks to deepen partnerships with next generation allies, it added. (YCH-E)
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According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the first session of the “2026 Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative—Diplomatic Allies Inbound Track Program” drew 22 trainees from allies Eswatini, the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu. Ambassadors Anjanette Kattil and Lily Tangisia Faavae from the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu, respectively, also attended the ceremony, the ministry said.
This year marked the second edition of the program, and demonstrates the importance Taiwan attaches to its allies and their youth, Wu said. The MOFA cooperates with the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) to offer the event which covers professional training, cultural exchange, and personnel development. The training empowers allies’ youth to further develop and advance partnerships with Taiwan upon their return, he added.
The deputy minister stated that this year’s program focused on smart practices in two important sectors, agriculture and medicine. Smart agricultural practices such as using artificial intelligence applications, innovations and sustainable development were covered; while medical care encompassed enhancing healthcare quality through the use of AI, digital health and medical technology. Taiwan’s experience in these sectors was offered through specialized courses, visits to enterprises and institutions and cross-cultural exchange activities, he added.
The program launched after President Lai Ching-te’s 2024 visit to the Marshall Islands, during which he proposed local youth training and exchange to President Hilda Heine, the MOFA said. The youth training forms one part of the integrated diplomacy initiative and Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project that seeks to deepen partnerships with next generation allies, it added. (YCH-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
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