Taiwan has contributed US$1.5 million in funding to support Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economic and technical cooperation initiatives, an APEC release said on Thursday.
The contribution was confirmed in a memorandum of understanding signed virtually by Sharon Wu (???), Taiwan's APEC senior official, and Rebecca Sta Maria, executive director of the APEC Secretariat, in early November, it said.
According to Wu, this year also marks the 30th year in which Taiwan has been a member of APEC.
"We wish to reaffirm our commitment to advancing the region's economic recovery, especially by facilitating capacity building projects in health, digital economy and women's economic empowerment," she said.
Around US$1 million of the contribution will go to efforts to improve the growth of the digital economy in the region and advance the APEC objectives of increasing women's economic participation by supporting activities under the purview of the APEC Policy Partnership on Women in the Economy, the Secretariat said.
Additional funding, it said, will also go to support APEC activities focused on human security, the APEC Policy Support Unit, and the research and analysis arm of APEC.
"Support for capacity building initiatives focused on inclusive and sustainable growth will help APEC build a much more resilient recovery for our people in the region," Sta Maria said.
The inter-governmental forum currently provides funding for over 100 projects annually, with around US$17.7 million available in 2021, the Secretariat said.
Taiwan joined APEC as a full member under the name Chinese Taipei in 1991.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel