OT-2022
June 24, 2020
Remarks by AIT Director W. Brent Christensen
at Virtual GCTF Workshop on COVID-19: Preparing for the Next Wave
June 24, 2020
(as prepared for delivery)
It is a great pleasure for me to join you today at the close of this virtual workshop on COVID-19. This is the second virtual event we have held this year under the Global Cooperation and Training Framework, or GCTF. And also the second focused on the Covid-19 pandemic.
Today’s event is our seventh workshop focused on public health under the GCTF – a recognition of the impressive expertise and capability that Taiwan has in this area. The Taiwan Model has won worldwide acclaim for its success in containing COVID-19, and we can all learn from Taiwan’s experience.
I would like to express my appreciation to the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control, and our colleagues from Japan and Australia for co-hosting this virtual workshop.
And I would also like to express my deepest thanks to each of you, for taking time from your busy schedules to participate in this online discussion.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a clear example of why the international community needs Taiwan to be an active participant in World Health Organization activities. Indeed, it is worth noting that Taiwan was the first to raise the alarm about this new pathogen.
In March, the United States and Taiwan declared a new partnership against Covid-19, pledging to work together to combat the pandemic in areas such as vaccine development, medical supply chains, and expert exchanges.
As U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo said recently, “The COVID-19 pandemic provided an opportunity for the international community to see why Taiwan’s pandemic-response model is worthy of emulation.”
After today’s workshop, I am sure you will agree with Secretary Pompeo’s assessment. And I hope you will also support Taiwan in its efforts to contribute its expertise to global problem solving, both through exchanges like this one, through generous international aid, and through greater participation in international organizations.
Thank you for joining us today and for all your contributions to the discussion. Thank you.
