Sustainability for Taiwan and the World

Launched in 2022, SDG Asia has been held annually for three years, during a period when the abstract concept of sustainability has turned into practical action. The expo has quickly become an important event highlighting Taiwan’s commitment in this realm.

Joint efforts

The Copernicus Climate Change Service projects that 2024 will be the hottest year on record. As Eugene Chien, chairman of the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy, noted, “New heat records being set has become so commonplace that it hardly counts as news any longer.” He reminded everyo­­ne that only six years remain to meet the UN’s SDGs and the commitments in the Paris Agreement on Climate.

Extreme weather events have put a spotlight on efforts to conserve energy, reduce carbon emissions, and develop renewable energy. These are all vitally important for achieving the 17 SDGs.

At 2024 SDG Asia, exhibitors showed off their latest carbon-­cutting achievements. Striving to reduce both operational carbon emissions and embodied carbon, Taiwan Cement Corporation (TCC) showcased its low-carbon building materials. TCC subsidiary E-One Moli Energy Corporation (Molicel) has also been setting new milestones in the sustainable development of the cement industry by creating an all-in-one green energy service encompassing power generation, energy storage, and charging stations. Demonstrating the feasibility of Taiwan’s energy transition, the Ministry of Economic Affairs highlighted emerging technologies in green power generation and energy storage, including ocean-current energy and hydrogen energy, as well as carbon capture and storage. EVA Air announced its intent to develop sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from waste materials such as animal fats and used cooking oil. Aspiring to net zero emissions, it wants to shed the stigma of the aviation industry’s large carbon footprint.

Habitat conservation also received attention. Citing six major scenic areas that received Green Destination certification in 2023, Taiwan’s Tourism Administration highlighted a model of sustainable tourism that balances economic and community development with ecological conservation. The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, meanwhile, presented its achievements in creating green corridors to link natural areas in foothills and low-elevation mountain areas. The agency also collaborated with the Leotek Corporation and Chinese Culture University on a firefly conservation project in Matsu.

At the expo’s opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tien Chung-kwang emphasized the contributions of the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy (TAISE) in marshaling the strengths of government, businesses, schools, healthcare institutions and NGOs to advance sustainability policy and to engage in international exchanges and advocacy. “While demonstrating Taiwan’s soft power, these efforts are built on lots of hard work.”

Longcheng Paper and Packaging, which exhibited again this year, built their eye-catching stand from “eco boxes” made from recycled paper. Inside was an exhibit detailing Longcheng’s efforts in advancing environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals.

Uni-President Enterprises displayed its “iCircle” high-efficiency smart recycling machine, inviting the public to experience for themselves the complete process for recycling PET bottles—from collection to grinding.

More than merely a place for members of industry to exchange ideas, the 2024 SDG Asia expo gave the government and public a chance to join the conversation.

When diplomacy meets sustainability

This year the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also got involved. “Diplomacy and SDGs are in fact quite related,” said Tien. This year’s expo spotlighted the fruits of various diplomatic efforts that are aligned with sustainable ­development goals, including campaigns to eliminate hunger and to promote health and wellbeing, gender equality, and quality education. It also emphasized to the international community Taiwan’s accomplishments in advancing the SDGs.

As a member of the global community, Taiwan has always taken its international responsibilities seriously. Taiwan is committed to offering its allies expertise in agricultural and industrial development. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Taiwan not only achieved impressive results in disease prevention and control but also extended practical assistance to international friends. To democratic partners battered by natural disasters and war, Taiwan has long offered assistance through a variety of channels.

Every photo or snippet of text represents a potential point of intersection between Taiwan and the world. “Many have noted that the English abbreviation for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs—MOFA—is the same as the pinyin romanization of the Chinese word for ‘magic.’ We welcome all to visit the ‘Ministry of Magic’ area to experience the convergence of diplomacy and sustainability.” Tien’s witty remarks brought laughter from the opening ceremony audience, and the ministry’s diplomatic magic was indeed evident at many points during the expo.

A special feature this year was the international zone, which included not only MOFA but also delegations from six of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies: Belize, Guatemala, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Tuvalu, Haiti, and Saint Lucia. Other participants included the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), the Thai installation artist and social activist Wishulada Panthanuvong, and Japan’s Kitakyushu City. Together, they showcased Taiwan’s progress on the path towards sustainable development, particularly in achieving SDG 17: “Partnerships for the Goals.”

The expo opening ceremony featured a captivating performance by nationals of Saint Kitts and Nevis residing in Taiwan. The event also welcomed 15 distinguished guests from around the world, including Julio Eduardo Orozco Pérez, vice minister of foreign affairs of the Republic of Guatemala; Oscar Adolfo Padilla Lam, ambassador of Guatemala to Taiwan; Carlos José Fleitas Rodríguez, ambassador of the Republic of Paraguay to Taiwan; Donya L. Francis, ambassador of Saint Kitts and Nevis to Taiwan; Robert Kennedy Lewis, ambassador of Saint Lucia to Taiwan; and Chikako Ooba, deputy mayor of Kitakyushu City. Together, they helped to kick off this gathering dedicated to sustainability.

“By participating, our allies can see how Taiwan can assist them,” said Eugene Chien, “and they also get the opportunity to share their challenges and achievements. The expo fosters real exchange.”

When it comes to exchange of ideas, the forums and “­salons” held outside the exhibition area can’t be overlooked, either.

With many foreign diplomats in attendance, the expo provided opportunities for international exchange.

The 50 young Taiwanese selected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as youth ambassadors for 2024 visited the expo venue, where they had a friendly meeting with Taiwan’s deputy foreign affairs minister, Tien Chung-kwang; the Guatemalan vice minister of foreign affairs, Julio Eduardo Orozco Pérez; and the Guatemalan ambassador to Taiwan, Oscar Adolfo Padilla Lam.

Fostering collaboration

During the three-day expo, experts from various fields were invited to engage in in-depth discussions on a wide range of specialized topics at the SDG Asia Forum.

Among them, the TAISE International Partnership Forum for Sustainability, held for the first time, focused on international cooperation. In the first session, John Dennis of the British Office Taipei, Adel F. Althaidi of the Saudi Arabian Trade Office in Taiwan, Ed Jager of the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei, and Mark Pearson of the New Zealand Commerce and Industry Office were invited to share their home countries’ experiences and case studies in sustainable development. The second session featured Andrea Bowman, ambassador of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to Taiwan, and Silafaga Lalua O’Brien, acting ambassador of Tuvalu, who shared their nations’ perspectives on the frontlines of the fight against climate change.

On the other side of the venue, the Sustainability Salon hosted different small discussions every 30 minutes, allowing various organizations to engage directly with the public. Among them, the discussion organized by CABEI stood out for its international orientation, with participants from Guatemala, Belize, and Taiwan’s International Cooperation and Development Fund.

Julio Eduardo Orozco Pérez, Guatemalan vice minister of foreign affairs, was a high-profile figure at the forum, visiting every booth and actively taking part in various meetings over the two-day event. On the first day he talked to Taiwan’s youth ambassadors, who were about to visit Guatemala and Belize. On the second morning, at the SDG Salon hosted by CABEI, he transformed into a “super salesman,” providing insights into Guatemala’s investment environment to business leaders in attendance. Then, at the International Sustainability Summit that afternoon, he continued with undiminished energy, introducing Guatemala to attendees.

“Taiwan and Guatemala are friends, and we warmly welcome Taiwanese businesses,” Orozco said during the CABEI-hosted salon. Using coffee as an example, he highlighted that the beans used for one cup of coffee in ten globally come from Guatemala, underscoring the country’s significance and emphasizing its commitment to sustainable development. He concluded by stating that Guatemala was ready to welcome investments from Taiwan and around the world.

Whether his remarks were directed at businesses or consumers, the comprehensive content of Orozco’s presentations demonstrated the importance with which Guatemala views the Taiwanese market.

The efforts over many years of Eugene Chien, chairman of the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy, have helped bring Taiwan’s commitment to sustainable development into the international spotlight.

Julio Eduardo Orozco Pérez, Guatemala’s vice minister of foreign affairs, playfully posed for a photo with a model of Taipei 101, the city’s landmark skyscraper.

Good for Taiwan and the world

As a global citizen, Taiwan showcased its vital achievements in this summer’s SDG Asia, demonstrating progress toward SDG 17—Partnerships for the Goals—which sits atop the SDG pyramid. “When the UN drew up the Sustainable Development Goals, it emphasized ‘leaving no one behind.’ If some parts of a society, or some countries, or some regions of the world are rich and advancing and others are lagging behind, we will never achieve sustainability.” Eugene Chien’s remarks underscored Taiwan’s determined commitment to sustainable development.

The Sustainability Salon was an important space at the expo for the public to engage in dialogue with businesses and NGOs.

Highlighting Taiwan’s efforts and achievements in sustainable development, the 2024 SDG Asia featured seven major exhibition area themes, including policies, corporations, and NGOs.