Other commitments include helping New Southbound countries with their infrastructure and major development projects by establishing a US$3.5 billion fund managed by the Official Development Assistance program; and helping small and medium enterprises and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) share their insight and experiences with New Southbound countries, with an emphasis on job creation at the local-level, Tsai said.

The nation has also made a commitment to join forces with other like-minded countries to improve Taiwan’s common presence in the region, which would benefit peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world, she said.

Tsai said that a “Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation” would be established to act as the main organizing and administrative body of the Yushan Forum and serve as an exchange platform for leaders, youth representatives, NGOs and think tanks in the region.

The two-day forum has two sub-themes: “Partnership of Commitment” aimed at highlighting Taiwan’s commitment to the New Southbound Policy, and “Partnership for Connectivity,” which demonstrates how Taiwan’s vibrant civil society is connected with people and groups for social well-being in Southeast and South Asia.

The forum invited more than 40 speakers from 15 South and Southeast Asian countries, as well as Japan, South Korea, the US and Europe.