Taiwan plans to begin drone training cooperation with Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Tuvalu as early as the end of this year, a Foreign Ministry official said Tuesday, September 15.

Speaking at a routine press conference, Department of NGO International Affairs Director General and Drone Diplomacy Task Force Executive Director Charlie Chiang (江振瑋) said Taiwan signed related memorandums of understanding with the three allies during the Pacific Islands Forum, which concluded September 4.

“We should first start with our Pacific allies,” Chiang said. “At the earliest, it should begin by the end of the year, and at the latest, early next year.”

The initiative forms part of Taiwan’s wider push for “drone diplomacy,” with pilot training identified as the first stage in a Cabinet report released earlier this month.

The Global UAV Academy (GUAVA), being established with foreign ministry assistance, is intended to serve as a hub for drone training, certification, maintenance, and international cooperation. Chiang said Tuesday that the academy is expected to complete legal registration next week and establish offices in Taipei and Chiayi by the end of the year, adding that it would be a legal foundation supported by private funds.