MOFA Vice Minister Miguel Li-jey Tsao announces July 15 that Taiwan, the U.S. and host Guatemala will stage the first GCTF in Latin America and the Caribbean. (MOFA)

Taiwan, the U.S. and host Guatemala are staging the first Global Cooperation and Training Framework seminar in Latin America and the Caribbean, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs July 15.
 
Announced simultaneously in a video messages via Twitter by Vice Foreign Minister Miguel Li-jey Tsao, U.S. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Julie Chung and Guatemala Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Shirley Aguilar, the change-making event underscores the commitment of the countries to working together in tackling global issues while promoting inclusive prosperity.
 
Tsao said Latin America and the Caribbean is an important region for Taiwan as it is home to the majority country’s diplomatic allies. GCTF is an invaluable platform for expanding exchanges and sharing know-how, he added.
 
It is hoped other like-minded and partners and friends will take part in the event going forward, Tsao said, adding that friendship transcends borders and geographic distances in cementing good relations.
 
According to the MOFA, the seminar comprises a series of virtual workshops on such topics as combating COVID-19, digital economy and infrastructure, fifth-generation technology, internet security and women’s empowerment. A physical meeting is to be held in diplomatic ally Guatemala later this year after travel restrictions caused by coronavirus, first reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan last year, are lifted.
 
GCTF, launched in 2015 by Taiwan and the U.S., aims to build capacity and strengthen multilateral cooperation among like-minded partners. Other participating countries include Australia, Japan—joining as a full partner in 2019, and Sweden.
 
A total of 24 workshops involving more than 600 experts and government officials from 39 countries have been staged to date. (TYT-E)