Taiwan deserves a ‘seat at the table,’ diplomat says

Tuvaluan Minister for Foreign Affairs, Labour and Trade Paulson Panapa yesterday said that Taiwan’s leadership in healthcare, digital innovation and disaster response warrants a “seat at the table,” and that Tuvalu would continue to speak up for the nation in the international community.

Panapa made the remarks during a meeting with President William Lai (賴清德) at the Presidential Office in Taipei on his first official visit to Taiwan in his current capacity.

Taiwan and Tuvalu are united by their shared values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, which “give meaning to our cooperation,” Panapa said.

President William Lai, right, shakes hands with Tuvaluan Minister for Foreign Affairs, Labour and Trade Paulson Panapa at the Presidential Office in Taipei yesterday.

Photo courtesy of the Presidential Office

Those ties have been strengthened by the Kaitasi Treaty, signed between the two countries in November last year, which outlines cooperation in the economy, food security, medicine and public health, among other areas, he added.

Tuvalu hopes to strengthen cooperation in renewable energy and resilient infrastructure, and to expand opportunities in education and labor mobility, thereby advancing the sustainable development of the Pacific island nation, he said.

“Taiwan’s leadership in health, digital innovation, and disaster response enriches the global community,” Panapa said. “It is only right that such expertise has a seat at the table. Tuvalu will continue to speak with a clear voice in support of Taiwan’s rightful place in the international community.”

Lai said that Saturday is the 47th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Taiwan and Tuvalu have supported each other in the international community over the years while engaging in cooperation on digital transformation, power-grid resilience, climate-change adaptation and aquaculture, Lai said.

He thanked Tuvalu for taking concrete action in support of Taiwan by advocating for the nation’s international participation at this year’s World Health Assembly and Pacific Islands Forum.

“We look forward to Tuvalu continuing to staunchly support Taiwan’s international participation,” he said, referencing that the 31st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which is scheduled for November.

Panapa is leading a five-member delegation, including Tuvaluan parliamentarian Monise Laafai, on a five-day visit to Taiwan that concludes tomorrow, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.