At Taiwan-Africa forum delegates reach agreement

More than a 100 delegates attending the 2007 Taiwan-Africa Progressive Partnership Forum at the Grand Hotel in Taipei, have reached a consensus outlining a wide range of key intervention areas between African countries and the Asian-Pacific island state.

Government officials, congressmen, political leaders, together with representatives from various sectors of Taiwan, produced a six-point agreement, following a string of presentations and discussions on relevant issues in a bid to explore partnership and cooperation.

The outcome, which was presented by Dr Tzu-Pao Yang, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan, reinforces the Taipei Declaration signed by the five African leaders, whose countries share official diplomatic ties with Taiwan. 

In the outcome, Taiwan assured the gathering of its willingness to forge partnership with African countries in IT to optimise digital opportunities.

"The goal is to help reduce the divide and create more digital opportunities in Africa. Through the transfer of technology, e-society can be gradually developed in African countries."

On business management and investment, the forum acknowledged Taiwan’s acclaimed experience and successes in small and medium enterprises, international trade, and overseas investment. In view of this reality, Taiwan affirmed its willingness to forge cooperative partnerships to help African countries diversify their economic production and encourage exports. It was envisaged this will yield economic growth in Africa; thereby creating jobs, and reduce social inequality and injustice.

The agreement also saw Taiwan affirming its commitment to strengthen medical cooperation with African countries to confront HIV/Aids and other communicable diseases.

Confirming that development and environmental issues are inextricably linked, Taiwan assured the gathering of its preparedness to enter into joint scientific research with Africa on environmental protection.

Taiwan also expressed its desire to use its governmental partners and NGO resources to provide African partners with international emergency humanitarian assistance, as well as establish middle and long-term cooperative development agendas to help African countries deal with obstacles.

In the area of agriculture, Taiwan asserted its preparedness to help African countries in agriculture by sharing its technology and experience.

"Taiwan will send agricultural technical missions and provide training so as to enhance Africa’s capabilities in the production and marketing of vegetables and fruits, food processing, rural development, among others."

To this end, the forum deemed it prudent for the Taiwan-Africa Progressive Partnership Forum to serve as a platform for future interaction, coordination and cooperation with Africa.

"We believe that this platform will inevitably deepen the cooperative partnership between Taiwan and Africa; and will help us to jointly achieve prosperity and sustainable development for all mankind under the framework of the UN Millennium Development Goals and the New Partnership for Africa," the delegates concluded.