Taiwan donates $10 million to UN peacebuilding fund

Taiwan has donated $10 million to the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, which supports post-conflict recovery and reconciliation efforts around the world. Taiwan is not a member of the UN due to China's opposition, but it has been seeking to increase its international participation and visibility. Taiwan's donation is the largest single contribution to the fund this year, and reflects its commitment to promoting peace and human rights.

The UN Peacebuilding Fund was established in 2006 to provide fast and flexible funding for countries emerging from conflict or at risk of relapsing into violence. The fund supports projects that address the root causes of conflict, build trust among communities, strengthen institutions, and promote social cohesion. The fund has supported more than 40 countries and regions, including Afghanistan, Colombia, Myanmar, Somalia, and Yemen.

Taiwan's donation was announced by its representative to the US, Hsiao Bi-khim, at a virtual event hosted by the UN Peacebuilding Commission on August 17, 2023. She said that Taiwan was proud to be a partner of the fund and hoped to share its experience and expertise in democracy, human rights, and development with other countries. She also called on the UN to grant Taiwan meaningful participation in its activities and mechanisms, especially in areas related to peace and security.

The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres thanked Taiwan for its generous contribution and praised its role as a responsible stakeholder in the international community. He said that Taiwan's donation would help the fund reach its target of raising $1.5 billion for the period of 2020-2024. He also reiterated his support for dialogue and peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues, in accordance with the UN Charter and relevant resolutions.

China, which claims Taiwan as its territory and opposes any official contacts between Taiwan and other countries or international organizations, has not commented on Taiwan's donation. China has been increasing its military and diplomatic pressure on Taiwan in recent years, conducting frequent air and naval exercises near the island, imposing sanctions on its allies, and blocking its participation in global forums such as the World Health Organization. Taiwan has resisted China's coercion and maintained its sovereignty and democracy, with the support of the US and other like-minded countries.

Taiwan's donation to the UN Peacebuilding Fund is not the first time that it has contributed to global causes despite its diplomatic isolation. Taiwan has also donated millions of dollars and medical supplies to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, supported humanitarian relief efforts in Haiti, Syria, and other countries, and participated in various international initiatives on climate change, cyber security, and counter-terrorism.

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• [Taiwan donates $10 million to UN peacebuilding fund]
• [UN Peacebuilding Fund]
• [Taiwan seeks greater role in UN amid China pressure]