Her Excellency Fiona Fan, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, was joined by Cabinet members on January 27, 2026, to officially launch the “EcoYouth Ventures” Project at the La Vue Conference Room. This regional initiative, implemented by the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) in partnership with Taiwan and the Government of SVG, aims to empower young people as environmental leaders and innovators in sustainable tourism through STEM education.
The launch ceremony was also attended by Hon. Israel Bruce, Minister of Agriculture; Hon. Conroy Huggins, Minister of Fisheries; and Senator Hon. Lavern King, highlighting the multi-sectoral support for the initiative.
In her keynote address, Ambassador Fan highlighted the theme of “connectivity” as the cornerstone of the enduring partnership between Taiwan and SVG. She noted that landmark infrastructure projects—such as the Argyle International Airport (AIA), the Kingstown Modern Port Project, and the ongoing construction of the Arnos Vale Acute Care Hospital—are tangible expressions of Taiwan’s long-term promise to the nation.
Ambassador Fan emphasized that true progress also requires investing in human capital. She referenced Taiwan’s support for youth and women’s empowerment programs like SET, YES, and ON-SITE, as well as the ongoing “Young Farmers Training Project” which links smart agriculture with tourism. Drawing inspiration from Taiwan’s “One Town, One Product” (OTOP) initiative, she encouraged Vincentian youth to apply their creativity to the blue economy and eco-tourism. To further support youth development, Ambassador Fan announced that the 2026 Taiwan Scholarship Programme will open in February, offering opportunities for Vincentian students to study in Taiwan.
Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Sustainable Development, Dr. Hon. Kishore Shallow, expressed gratitude for Taiwan’s investment and trust in the nation’s youth. He underscored that empowering young people in fields such as renewable energy and sustainable agriculture is essential for safeguarding the country’s future and competitiveness.
In St. Vincent and the Grenadine, Saint Lucia, and Saint Kitts and Nevis, the EcoYouth Ventures project is expected to engage approximately 1,500 students, train 75 educators. In SVG alone it would partner with 11 secondary schools over its two-year duration. (E)
