TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Given Taiwan’s urgent need to pursue sustainable development, Finland, Denmark, and Sweden are seeking to provide solutions and foster industrial cooperation and business opportunities.
The Nordic Sustainable Energy & Environment Forum was held Thursday (Nov. 26) in Taipei. The second edition of the annual forum — co-hosted by the representative offices of Finland, Denmark, and Sweden in Taiwan — partnered for the first time with the Taipei City Government.
Nordic countries have a long tradition of demanding and supporting sustainable development, both in the public and private sectors, remarked Bo Mønsted, Danish representative to Taiwan. “We see sustainability as a drive-up for growth.”
Sustainability is driving innovation and the development of new technologies, said Mønsted. He added that solutions provided by Danish companies will have strong applications in Taiwan as the island country promotes its circular economy.
Bengt G. Carlsson, the Swedish representative to Taiwan, noted that the forum has expanded to include 10 Nordic providers of sustainable solutions this year. The talks started after the opening ceremony and were divided into two themes: renewable energy and efficiency as well as smart and sustainable development.
The number of participants at this year’s event increased by nearly 50 percent compared to the previous year, said Carlsson. He expressed optimism the forum would continue to grow in the years to come.
Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) said the forum provides an excellent opportunity for both the public and private sectors in Taiwan to absorb experience from advanced countries. He noted that the relevant departments from the city government would participate in the forum.
As a capital, it is important for Taipei to boost economic development while protecting the environment and elevating the quality of living, said Ko. Taipei is determined to become a low-carbon, resilient, livable, and sustainable city, he stressed, going on to say that the pandemic will not disrupt this goal.
Nordic companies are global leaders in providing sustainable solutions in terms of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and smart and sustainable building, Finland's representative office said in a statement. They are determined to promote additional technological exchanges, joint research, and industrial cooperation with Taiwan, it added.
