On March 4, 2025, AIT Director Raymond Greene delivered opening remarks at the GCTF International Workshop on Whole-of-Society Resilience Building, Preparation, and Response. The event was attended by President Lai, Foreign Minister Lin, Deputy Minister of the Interior Maa, National Fire Agency DG Hsiao, ambassadors, representatives, and other distinguished guests.
Greene highlighted the collaboration between Taiwan and its partners through the Global Cooperation Training Framework (GCTF), which includes Japan, Australia, Canada, and other international allies. "The Global Cooperation Training Framework – GCTF – is one of many ways we work hand in hand with Taiwan," Greene stated.
He reiterated the United States' commitment to supporting Taiwan and maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region. "Since President Trump took office in January, our administration has made clear that the United States’ support for Taiwan remains rock-solid and enduring," Greene emphasized.
President Lai's establishment of the Whole of Society Defense and Resilience Committee was noted as a significant step towards enhancing coordination across various sectors in Taiwan. Greene remarked that this initiative aligns with the objectives of the GCTF workshop by promoting dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders.
Taiwan's expertise in disaster response was acknowledged by Greene, citing its impressive handling of the April 2024 earthquake in Hualien and its global leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. He pointed out that "Taiwan demonstrated its significant expertise and resolve" during these crises.
The workshop also addressed various areas where Taiwan's resilience is being enhanced through U.S. cooperation. This includes medical resilience training for first responders, efforts to counter information manipulation tactics by foreign actors, and initiatives to improve energy security.
While acknowledging progress made so far, Greene stressed that more work remains to be done to bolster Taiwan’s resilience further. He called for continued engagement from all sectors of society to prepare for future challenges: "Together, we need to engage all sectors of society to substantially build resilience."
Greene concluded his remarks by expressing gratitude for the participants' presence at the workshop.