PR-2229
November 4, 2022
U.S.-Taiwan Cooperation on International Development and Humanitarian Assistance
The United States and Taiwan will strengthen their cooperation and collaboration on international development and humanitarian assistance under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) November 3. According to the MOU, which names the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and TaiwanICDF as AIT and TECRO’s respective designated representatives, initial areas of cooperation will include international development assistance, humanitarian assistance, promotion of participation and best practices in international fora, research in international development and humanitarian fields, and capacity building, training, and knowledge transfer. The two sides will cooperate though information exchanges, sharing best practices, global activity initiatives, joint studies, and more.
Under a related arrangement between AIT and TECRO, also signed on November 3, USAID and TaiwanICDF will coordinate with Paraguay’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce to strengthen micro, small, and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs) and promote development in Paraguay. As highlighted in the arrangement, both sides believe in the importance of improving market efficiencies, access to resources, and improving MSME policy environments.
Finally, under another related AIT-TECRO arrangement signed on November 3, USAID and TaiwanICDF will work together to enhance climate and disaster resilience in the Pacific region. As part of this MOU, TaiwanICDF will contribute up to US $600,000 to a U.S.-Taiwan partnership under USAID’s Pacific American Fund. The Pacific American Fund supports civil society organizations across the Pacific to advance locally-designed and -led development solutions that increase resilience and improve the livelihoods of Pacific Island communities.