PR-2053
November 3, 2020
United States, Taiwan, Japan, and the Netherlands
Host a Virtual Global Cooperation and Training Framework (vGCTF) Workshop on
Sustainable Materials Management Solutions to Marine Debris
This morning, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, the Netherlands Office Taipei, the Taiwan Ocean Affairs Council, and the Taiwan Industrial Technology Research Institute kicked off the first of a two-part expert exchange entitled “Sustainable Materials Management Solutions to Marine Debris” under the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF). Part two of this virtual seminar will take place on November 10.
AIT Director Brent Christensen joined Taiwan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Harry Tseng, Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Chief Representative Hiroyasu Izumi, and the Netherlands Office Taipei Representative Guido Tielman in delivering opening remarks.
Director Christensen said: “The United States is working with Taiwan and other partners to find solutions to complex waste management issues, including marine debris. This is one of the many areas in which Taiwan can share its considerable expertise with the world.”
Nearly 700 professionals from government agencies, private sector, academia, industry, and NGOs from 16 different countries participated in part one of this virtual workshop, learning best practices from experts from the United States, Taiwan, Japan, and the Netherlands, and sharing their own experiences, to take lessons learned back to their own countries to confront the growing global problem of marine debris.
