Taiwan willing to work with Tuvalu on addressing climate change: Lai

Taiwan looks forward to collaborating with Tuvalu on addressing climate change and other regional challenges, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday at a meeting with the Pacific nation’s new envoy, Lily Tangisia Faavae.

Taiwan and Tuvalu would “stand together in tackling the challenges we face, including climate change and authoritarian expansionism,” Lai said at the meeting at the Presidential Office in Taipei.

Joint efforts over the past four decades have “produced fruitful results” in such domains as public health and agricultural and fisheries technology, Lai said, adding that such collaboration would continue “to generate even more well-being for our peoples.”

Tuvalu is one of 12 countries in the world that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

The two countries are marking the 46th anniversary of their ties this year.

Faavae, who assumed the role of Tuvaluan ambassador to Taiwan in February, said that her country remained “committed to deepening ties with Taiwan.”

“I believe Tuvalu and Taiwan share common interests and are united in our efforts and commitment to uphold democracy, peace and stability … and to making the world better and safer,” Faavae said.

The people of her small developing nation “have greatly benefited from Taiwan’s advanced technical expertise and diverse financial assistance,” she added.

Faavae has extensive experience in public service in Tuvalu, having previously served in the Tuvaluan Parliament, the prime minister’s office and the health ministry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.