By Lee I-chia /
Staff reporter

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) yesterday thanked Taiwan’s diplomatic allies for voicing their strong support for Taiwan’s participation in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC) 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29).

At the high-level segment of COP29 held on Tuesday and Wednesday last week, representatives of seven of Taiwan’s allies firmly voiced support for Taiwan’s inclusion in the conference, the ministry said.

They were Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr and officials from Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Guatemala, Belize, Saint Lucia and Haiti, it said.

Photo: Reuters

MOFA sincerely thanks the three allies that spoke out in the World Leaders Climate Action Summit last week, the seven allies that voiced their support during the high-level segment and Paraguay for releasing a national statement to support Taiwan’s participation, it said.

All countries must participate in the climate change solution, and Taiwan’s efforts and contribution to the Paris Agreement should be recognized, Whipps said.

By acknowledging Taiwan’s contributions, other countries can have a more comprehensive understanding of the results of their collective efforts, MOFA cited him as saying.

“Taiwan must be included to address the climate crisis,” he said.

Saint Kitts and Nevis is also an island country at the front line of sustainable development and resilience, and Taiwan has offered many learning and cooperation opportunities, said Joyelle Trizia Clarke, the country’s minister of sustainable development, environment and climate action, and constituency empowerment.

“When we say ‘leave no one behind,’ we must also take the Republic of China’s (Taiwan) experience and professional knowledge into consideration. Our actions must meet with our ambitions and concern the existence of the entire human race, reaching a non-excludable agenda,” the ministry cited her as saying.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development and Culture Carlos James urged all countries, especially Taiwan and others who are seriously impacted, to have a seat at the table so that their priorities can be implemented under an effective, multilateralist global framework, MOFA said.

Guatemala acknowledges the efforts and contributions of its international partners, through bilateral or multilateral cooperation, including Taiwan’s government, Guatemalan Vice Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change Edwin J. Castellanos said.

“Guatemala reiterates that to fulfill the promise of a sustainable and fair future for everyone, no one should be left behind,” the ministry cited him as saying.

Excluding Taiwan, which is the world’s 21st-largest economy and has abundant professional knowledge and resources, from participating in the UNFCCC is against the convention and the Paris agreements’ principles, said Kenrick Williams, chief executive officer of Belize’s Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management.

Belize urged the international society to rise above politics and support Taiwan’s peaceful, practical and meaningful participation, MOFA cited him as saying.

Haiti supports Taiwan’s professional, practical and contributional participation in COP29 and future conferences, said Guito Edouard, director general of Haiti’s Drinking Water Directorate.

Taiwan is willing to be a responsible member of international society, work closely with allies and like-minded international partners, and together make positive contributions in addressing global climate change, the ministry said.