The Environment Ministry announced on Wednesday that a delegation led by Environment Minister Shieu Fuh-Sheng (薛富盛) will attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai. The delegation will participate as a non-governmental organization (NGO) observer, following the practice of previous years. Taiwan is not a U.N. member state, which limits its ability to participate in the conference. 

The ministry’s press release said that the pursuit of net-zero emissions is a goal that Taiwan and the international community should work together to achieve. The ministry adds that Taiwan should be allowed to participate in the discussions given its scientific strengths and contributions to green technologies. 

Climate Change Administration Director-General Tsai Lin-yi (蔡玲儀) says that even if Taiwan is technically attending as an NGO, substantive peripheral meetings organized with friendly countries have been held. Tsai added that Minister Shieu is also using this opportunity to communicate with friendly countries about Taiwan’s climate change response laws and its progress on net-zero transformation by 2050.

COP28, also referred to as the Conference of the Parties of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is being held from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12.