Tuvalu’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Labour and Trade, the Hon. Paulson Panapa, led a delegation to Taiwan this week, meeting with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Tuesday. 

Diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Tuvalu are approaching their 47th anniversary. In recent years, the two sides have jointly advanced projects involving digital transformation, power-grid resilience, and climate adaptation, achieving significant results. 

In his remarks, Lai thanked the Tuvaluan government for consistently speaking up for Taiwan at international forums. For example, during this year’s World Health Assembly and the Pacific Islands Forum, Tuvalu once again demonstrated its support for Taiwan through concrete actions. 

Panapa thanked Taiwan for its substantial assistance to Tuvalu over the past 46 years in strengthening its capacity to address climate change, as well as in digital communications, healthcare, and education. 

He noted that this year the two countries also signed agreements to resume cooperation projects such as milkfish farming, as well as initiatives on clean energy. Through these efforts, they aim to promote renewable energy and sustainable development while expanding educational opportunities and labor mobility.

Panapa emphasized that Taiwan is a global leader in areas including public health, digital innovation, and disaster response, making valuable contributions to the international community. Taiwan deserves to have a place in the international community, he said, adding that Tuvalu will remain steadfast in speaking up for Taiwan and supporting its participation in international affairs.