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Minister of Digital Affairs Audrey Tang of Taiwan made her mark at the high-level meeting of the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC), held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. This prestigious gathering brought together government leaders and digital and diplomatic heads from 38 countries to collectively address the challenges posed by rapidly evolving technologies and establish measures to ensure the security and well-being of their citizens.
Minister Audrey’s presence at this international forum was a testament to Taiwan’s commitment to championing the principles of legality, responsibility, and compliance with both domestic laws and international norms in the development of science and technology.
She echoed the sentiments of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, emphasising that technological progress should never come at the expense of privacy and human rights. In an era where digital innovations have the potential to shape the future, Taiwan remains firmly aligned with its democratic partners, standing united to protect the core values of freedom, democracy, and online human rights.
Taiwan’s dedication to this cause is exemplified by its upcoming commitment in 2022 to sign “A Declaration for the Future of the Internet” alongside allies from over 60 countries. This declaration represents a collective pledge to transform the internet into a digital public domain that safeguards human rights, freedom, and mutual trust.
Minister Tang’s participation in the FOC high-level meeting underscored Taiwan’s honour in joining hands with its allies to defend these fundamental values on the global stage. One of the key takeaways from this meeting was the valuable exchange of experiences. French digital ambassador Henri Verdier shared insights on France’s efforts to promote transnational public programmes.
Highlighting the potential of information systems created through collaboration between civil society and government, Ambassador Henri emphasised France’s ongoing commitment to invest in digital innovation infrastructure.
Minister Audrey, in response, highlighted Taiwan’s efforts in open-source localisation operations and the field testing of communication software like Element in Matsu. This innovative approach ensures resilient digital communication, even in the face of challenges such as submarine cable failures.
The Freedom Online Coalition, established in 2011, has been at the forefront of safeguarding online human rights and promoting the values of freedom and democracy. Comprising member states like the US, Japan, the United Kingdom, and France, the FOC has played a pivotal role in shaping global policies on internet freedom. Taiwan, in recognition of its commitment to these ideals, is set to join as an FOC observer in 2023, further solidifying its role in the coalition’s mission.
Minister Audrey’s engagement extended beyond the FOC meeting as she participated in a symposium organised by the International Strategy Forum (ISF). Here, she engaged in discussions on global governance and emerging technologies with a diverse panel of experts and thought leaders.
Topics ranged from artificial intelligence (AI) application standards to digital trust and the protection of human rights values. The Minister cited that through the Alignment Assemblies project, Taiwan is pioneering a groundbreaking approach to align AI values through citizen deliberation, setting a global precedent.
Taiwan’s overarching goal is to empower all citizens to contribute to the safe and sustainable development of AI while identifying and mitigating the inherent risks of this transformative technology. Minister Audrey pledged Taiwan’s continued collaboration with partners to advance digital development, with a keen focus on the three dimensions of participation, progress, and security.
