Taiwan Today
Date: November 17, 2016
Thomas Debass, acting special representative for global partnerships at the U.S. Department of State,
U.S. Acting Special Representative for Global Partnerships Thomas Debass discusses the potential of public-private partnerships in advancing foreign policy goals at a seminar Nov. 16 in Taipei City. (LTN)
highlighted the important role that the private sector and civil society can play in advancing foreign policy objectives at a seminar Nov. 16 in Taipei City.
Titled Harnessing the Power of Public-Private Partnerships, the event was held under the Taiwan-U.S. Global Cooperation and Training Framework, a platform launched in June 2015 for expanding collaboration between the two sides on regional and international issues. In his address, the U.S. official emphasized the effectiveness of such partnerships in promoting common interests across areas including corporate innovation, economic growth and sustainable development.
According to Debass, since its inception in 2008 the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Global Partnerships has worked with over 1,100 groups and mobilized more than US$1.7 billion in public and private sector resources to enhance diplomacy and development outcomes. He urged Taiwan and the U.S. to cooperate on boosting civil society involvement in GCTF initiatives.
“The burden of engaging under GCTF should not just be on governments,” Debass said, adding that private sector and civic organizations in Taiwan such as the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei and startup companies should be actively encouraged to participate in related workshops and activities. [FULL STORY]
