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On the afternoon of September 21, President Lai Ching-te met with delegation leaders from the World Alliance for Disaster Management (WADM). In remarks, President Lai stated that the WADM is the first intergovernmental organization spearheaded and established by Taiwan in 55 years. Through joint training and exercises, mutual support, and information sharing, the president said, Taiwan hopes to build a platform for humanitarian-driven international cooperation to help enhance the disaster prevention and relief capabilities of its allies and partners, and jointly boost disaster resilience.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
It is a great pleasure to welcome you all to the Presidential Office. On Saturday, government representatives, local leaders, disaster management experts, and international aid partners from 21 countries joined Taiwan in establishing the WADM. I am delighted to have the opportunity to further engage with WADM partners today. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I would like to once again extend our sincere welcome and gratitude to you all.
Twenty-seven years ago today, a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck central Taiwan, claiming more than 2,400 lives and destroying over 100,000 buildings. The 921 Earthquake was Taiwan’s worst disaster since the end of World War II. Following the quake, 38 rescue teams were dispatched to Taiwan from 21 countries, totaling 700-plus human search and rescue personnel and 103 dogs. They worked alongside Taiwanese teams to save many precious lives, for which the people of Taiwan remain deeply grateful to this day.
A team from Türkiye’s AKUT Search and Rescue Association and a search and rescue team from Japan were among the first international teams to arrive in Taiwan that year. I would especially like to thank AKUT Founder Adam Mehmet Tanrısever, who is with us today, for leading that team and for continuing to foster exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan over the years.
When a major earthquake struck Türkiye in 2023, a Taiwanese search and rescue team immediately rushed to the disaster area, once again working shoulder to shoulder with AKUT to conduct relief work. I want to convey Taiwan’s deepest respect and gratitude to Mr. Tanrısever and all the disaster relief partners here today who have traversed borders to save lives.
For 27 years now, Taiwan has made September 21 its National Disaster Prevention Day. After the quake, we also enacted the Disaster Prevention and Protection Act, creating a comprehensive framework for prevention, preparedness, response, recovery, and reconstruction. And in Zhushan Township in Nantou County, we established the National Fire Agency Training Center, which is the largest of its kind in Asia and the third largest in the world.
Twenty-seven years ago, countries around the world came to Taiwan to help us. Now, it is Taiwan’s turn to give back to the world. The WADM is the first intergovernmental organization spearheaded and established by Taiwan in 55 years. We sincerely thank you for your support in making its launch in Taiwan a reality. Director General of the National Fire Agency Hsiao Huan-chang (蕭煥章), who is also with us, has been elected as the WADM’s first secretary-general. I am confident that with his extensive experience in disaster prevention and international exchanges, Director General Hsiao will guide the WADM on a path to robust development.
Our guests here today represent five continents. Some of your countries face typhoons and tsunamis; some are threatened by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions; and others contend with floods, droughts, and wildfires. Although the challenges we face are very different, our resolve and responsibility to protect the lives and safety of our citizens are entirely the same. Under the WADM’s collaborative framework, the National Fire Agency Training Center in Zhushan will become an important Indo-Pacific hub for disaster prevention training and exchanges. Through joint training and exercises, mutual support, and information sharing, Taiwan will build a platform for humanitarian-driven international cooperation to help enhance the disaster prevention and relief capabilities of our allies and partners.
The United Nations’ Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction emphasizes Building Back Better after a crisis. Our goal is not only to Build Back Better, but also to Prepare Better Together. Once again, I thank you for harnessing the power of solidarity with us. I wish the WADM every success as it takes off from here in Taiwan. Let us prepare together, respond together, and grow stronger and more resilient together, and make our nations even safer.
Vice President Raynold B. Oilouch of the Republic of Palau then delivered remarks, first conveying deepest appreciation and a big congratulations on the successful inaugural meeting of the newly established WADM on behalf of all its members. He stated that he is confident Palau and all the members in attendance take immense pride as the WADM’s founding members. On behalf of the group, he congratulated Director General Hsiao on his new role as WADM secretary-general, and said that they are committed to working together for the success of the alliance and for the benefit of the people of its member nations.
Vice President Oilouch noted that WADM member nations come from different parts of the world, including Central America, South America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, and are thus exposed to different types of disasters. While some member nations are prone to earthquakes, floods, and volcanic eruptions, he said, other member nations are more likely to face typhoons, tidal waves, and droughts. He then emphasized his confidence in our collective capacity to overcome them through shared purpose and collaboration. The vice president indicated that on the previous day, they visited the National Fire Agency Training Center in Nantou, where they witnessed simulated disaster exercises and were impressed with the level of disaster preparedness and management Taiwan has achieved. He remarked that Taiwan is not only a leader in semiconductors and healthcare; it is also leading the way in disaster preparedness and management.
The vice president said that while we do not know what type of disasters will happen or when, we do know that disasters will happen. Therefore, he said, it is important that we prepare better so that we can manage disasters better, thereby mitigating the harm to our people. He stated that they look forward to leveraging the alliance’s global expertise and innovative frameworks to enhance disaster mitigation and resilience measures. As Palau braces for the potential of catastrophic drought, he said, international solidarity and shared expertise will be vital to securing his people’s future.
Vice President Oilouch then reaffirmed the deep-rooted bond that unites the Republic of Palau and Taiwan. For 27 years, he said, our diplomatic partnership has remained steadfast, grounded in mutual respect, shared democratic values, and an unwavering commitment to regional stability. He said he is proud to declare that our bilateral relationship is not merely enduring – it is stronger today than at any point in our shared history. We are bound by geography, by principle, and by purpose, he said, and truly, we are one ocean, one family.
On behalf of President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. and the government and people of Palau, Vice President Oilouch expressed profound appreciation to the leadership and citizens of Taiwan for their steadfast support. He also thanked Taiwan for standing beside Palau in times of prosperity, in times of adversity, and at every moment in between. Vice President Oilouch emphasized that Taiwan may rest easy knowing that Palau remains a firm, loyal, and resolute ally, saying that their support is consistent, their commitment is absolute, and their dedication to the bond is unshakable. This is truly the essence of friendship, he said. He expressed hope that the enduring alliance between Palau and Taiwan will continue to flourish for generations to come, and on behalf of all WADM member nations, he thanked Taiwan for taking a lead in bringing them together on this very important endeavor.
Also in attendance were the leaders of the WADM delegations from Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Tuvalu, and the Republic of Paraguay.
