Taiwan/Republic of China presents Regional Development Assistance Funding to the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat

At a handover ceremony held Wednesday 20 December, at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), Representative of the Trade Mission of Taiwan/Republic of China (Taiwan/ROC) to Fiji, Mr Herman T. C Chiu, presented to Dame Meg Taylor, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), part of Taiwan/ROC’s annual regional assistance for 2018.

The contribution of USD500, 000 will support the Taiwan/ROC-PIF Scholarship Scheme. The Scholarship scheme has, since 2001, enabled citizens of Forum Island Countries (FICs) to further their education through eligible tertiary institutions in the Pacific or Taiwan/ROC. Successful awardees of the Scholarship Scheme’s 2018 intake will commence their programmes of study in February 2018.

The eight-member grouping of Smaller Island States (SIS) will also receive USD65,799, as a contribution to support the SIS Attachment Programme in agencies of the Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (CROP). The Attachment Programme serves to strengthen SIS capacity and understanding of the contribution of the regional agenda to national level outcomes.

The Secretary-General acknowledged the long-standing partnership and cooperation with Taiwan/ROC, making special mention of the significant contribution to human development and capacity building support provided to the region by Taiwan/ROC over the last sixteen years.

The remaining USD500,000 of Taiwan/ROC’s annual regional contribution will go towards supporting joint-CROP initiatives that strengthen greater collaboration among these agencies in service to member countries.

Original source: ForumSec
Published on 21 December 2017