WASHINGTON – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Assistant Administrator Jane Nishida was in Taipei, Taiwan, from August 21-22, to recommit to extending environmental cooperation between EPA and Taiwan.  Assistant Administrator Nishida joined former Taiwan Deputy Minister Ya-Fen Wang in providing keynote remarks for an event celebrating the 30th anniversary of EPA’s environmental cooperation with Taiwan, and nearly a decade of multilateral cooperation through the U.S. – Taiwan International Environmental Partnership (IEP).

“As we celebrate 30 years of partnership and the successes we have achieved together through IEP, it is important for us to identify future opportunities to strengthen this strong partnership and highlight Taiwan’s global environmental leadership,” said Jane Nishida, Assistant Administrator for International and Tribal Affairs. “We look forward to continuing to work closely with Taiwan to address critical environmental issues and build resilient communities through new and expanded programs on climate change and other priority challenges.”

The United States and Taiwan first started environmental cooperation in 1993 to exchange experiences in addressing air pollution, water quality, chemical safety, and other environmental challenges. Recognizing that pollution knows no borders and that lessons learned should be shared regionally, the IEP was launched in 2014 under the auspices of American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO).

Since then, EPA and the Taiwan Ministry of Environment have worked with more than 70 partners, including national and local governments, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and academia, in the Asia-Pacific region and globally to protect human health and the environment. Specifically, the IEP has established new and diverse networks of environmental practitioners who have been working together on a regional and global level to address environmental issues such as air quality, children's health, electronic waste management, environmental education, law enforcement, mercury monitoring, and site remediation.

While in Taiwan, Assistant Administrator Nishida delivered congratulatory remarks during the inauguration ceremony commemorating Taiwan EPA’s elevation to the Taiwan Ministry of the Environment. Assistant Administrator Nishida also delivered opening remarks for the Global Environmental Education Partnership Asia-Pacific Research Center’s (GEEP APRC) International Symposium and met with senior environmental experts and leading Taiwan partners.