Water Quallity Protection Web

EPA Minister Shares Taiwan's Environmental Experience at Our Ocean Conference in Palau

Our Ocean Conference (OOC)

Founded in 2014 by John Kerry, who is the current U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, the first Our Ocean Conference (OOC) was held in Washington, DC. Hosts in following years have included Chile, the EU, Indonesia, Norway, and others. Every OOC has seen the attendance of several heads of state and vice leaders, as well as representatives of government authorities in charge of environment, sustainability, or marine conservation.

The 7th OOC, titled Our Ocean, Our People, Our Prosperity, focus on six areas of Action, including “Advancing Marine Protected Areas for Communities, Ecosystems, and Climate” “Tackling Marine Pollution” “Confronting the Ocean-Climate Crisis or Towards an Ocean Solution for Climate Change” “Creating Sustainable Blue Economies” “Advancing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries and Aquaculture” and “Achieving a Safe, Just and Secure Ocean”.

The Republic of Palau and the United States opened the 7th OOC on April 13, 2022, marking the first time this event held in a small island developing state (SIDS).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) pointed out that due to the Republic of Palau’s highly valued close diplomatic ties with Taiwan, Palau President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. had particularly invited President Tsai Ing-wen to visit his country and attend the seventh OOC, a major event that Palau has always attended.

In response to President Whipps’ invitation, President Tsai appointed EPA Minister Tzi-Chin Chang to visit Palau and attend the event as an official representative of Taiwan. He was to share on the global stage Taiwan’s contributions to the marine environment and sustainable development as a responsible member of the Pacific region.

President Whipps met with the Taiwan delegation led by Minister Chang, and stated that as Pacific island states, both Taiwan and Palau have always been highly devoted to marine preservation and sustainable development, and together they work on creating a bright future for the entire Pacific region. He especially stressed the close diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Palau, hoping to continuously strengthen such a friendship.

In the session “Tackling Marine Pollution,” Minister Chang delivered a speech on relevant issues, which was a major breakthrough in the elevation of Taiwan’s participation in international marine activities. His presence at this event raised Taiwan’s status and image in global marine conservation efforts.

In his speech, Minister Chang pointed out that Taiwan, like Palau, is an island nation with beautiful coastlines and rich biodiversity. Taiwan is also facing the problem of marine pollution. The solution is: cut waste at the source and prevent it from entering the ocean.

In 1997, Taiwan started a nationwide waste recycling program. Over the years, the recycling rate has gradually increased. Currently, the recycling rate is more than 60%, and the recycling rate for PET bottles has surpassed 90%. Most of the remaining waste is sent to incinerators to generate electricity. Despite these efforts, however, some wastes still end up on the land and in the ocean.