The Asian Councils Forum (ACF), a testament to international cooperation, was initiated by the Taiwan Councilors Forum (TCF) as early as 2016. After several years of hard work, the ACF Constitution was signed by three co-founders of Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan, on June 8, 2024, Saturday. ACF, an international non-governmental organization, is firmly rooted in international law and United Nations resolutions.
TCF President Wei-Yuan Wang was unable to attend the meaningful constitution signing ceremony in person due to his schedule, so he authorized the founding President, Mr. Chin-Chang Lin, to sign the ACF Constitution on behalf of TCF as the honorary President of the association. Members of the delegation who witnessed the ceremony included Taipei City Councilor Tsai-Wei Liu, New Taipei City Councilor Mei-Fang Liu, and the Association's Secretary-General, Professor José Chiu-C. Chen.
JCF (Japan Councilors Forum) President Yoshiaki Matsuda authorized the Acting President Akira Koiso, Vice-President Yoshiyuki Kuriyama, and Vice President of Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly Yoshirio Hayasaka to attend and sign the Constitution, as well as attending officials Koji Ogata, Fujii Masaru, and Mr. Hayashi Masanori.
PCL (Philippine Councilors League) delegation group is composed of National Chairman Attorney Raul Corro, National President Handy T. Lao, in collaboration with Secretary-General Gina G. Perez, Executive Director Helario T. Caminero, General Legal Counsel Attorney Owen L. Garcia, Advocacy Chairman Attorney Elmer O. Datuin, Deputy Director for Advocacy Marion D. Marcos and other alliance officials attended the meeting.
The ACF Constitution, a roadmap for the future, stipulates 18 development goals, including “good local governance, sustainable development goals, racial and gender equality, inclusive and equal education, international cooperation networks” and other universal issues recognized by international democratic societies and values. Article 4 outlines that local councils or associations can apply to become ACF members. The ACF is committed to promoting benchmark policies, programs, and measures from each member country to foster meaningful dialogue among local parliamentarian alliances. It also advocates and encourages local councils to share their stories and stand on the international stage, influencing global policy development.
Looking ahead, a resolution has been made that the Maldives will host the 8th ACF Annual Conference from November 7 to 9, 2024. This session will not only invite local council associations from Asia, America, Europe, Oceania, and other regions but also serve as a platform to relive the deep friendship and prepare for the Global Councils Forum (GCF) initiative.
TCF upholds the spirit of public-private collaboration, cooperates with government policies to promote multilateral relations, and accumulates potential contributions of Track II diplomacy. As early as October 30, 2020, TCF won the “Outstanding NGO Award" in the public policy category from the NGO International Affairs Council of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan. To continue promoting the founding goal, TCF will invite county and city councils to apply to become ACF members, commit to integrating with the international community, expand local democratic governance practices, share Taiwan policy experience, and jointly contribute to Track II diplomacy. At the same time, we will also actively advocate the establishment of the GCF to make Taiwan the cradle of international organizations.
資料來源：亞洲經濟通訊社
