Taiwan and St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) co-hosted the “Developments in Digital Cities & Challenges in Cyber Security in the Caribbean Forum,” on May 6, bringing together regional and international experts to explore critical issues at the intersection of urban digital transformation and cybersecurity.
Delivering the keynote address, Jiunn-Shiow Lin, director general of the Administration for Digital Industries in Taiwan, spoke of the country’s public-private-people (PPP) model for the development strategies and cases of smart cities in Taiwan, including fields of food, healthcare, living, and transportation.
The central government builds a positive environment for industries to deliver solutions for local governments to address local needs, encouraging the formation of the smart city industry in Taiwan, Lin said.
Taiwan Ambassador to SVG, Fiona Huei-Chun Fan highlighted the strategic importance of digital city development.
She said Taiwan’s government is steadfastly committed to strengthening five key industrial sectors: semiconductors, artificial intelligence, next-generation communications, security, and defence.
“These sectors are integral to digital transformation, and our national policies support comprehensive strategies — ranging from cloud infrastructure and 5G communications technology to cutting-edge AI applications,” Fan said.
“Yet, with rapid technological advancement comes increased security risk and ethical challenges, which is why Taiwan places a strong emphasis on robust information security alongside innovation. This is the core of today’s discussion.”
Fan said the forum was part of the broader Enhancing Public Safety with Intelligent Video Analytics Project.
Over recent years, Taiwan has established a robust CCTV network and the iSurveillance system, with nearly 300 outdoor cameras installed across SVG.
License plate recognition and video analysis systems that enable real-time vehicle tracking were also implemented.
Further, Taiwan and SVG established a Police Security Operations Centre, which has become an essential hub for maintaining public safety, responding to incidents, and supporting investigations.
“Taiwan is committed to ensuring that our allies have access to the latest technological advancements and are empowered to fully participate in the digital revolution. Our initiatives span from not only crime prevention, but also to smart agriculture and the digitalization of healthcare.”
In March, Taiwan and SVG signed an implementation for the “Agricultural Productivity Recovery and Young Farmers’ Training Project,” heralding a new chapter of cooperation.
This landmark initiative introduces modern cultivation methods, vocational training, smart agricultural techniques, including IoT environment controlling system and plant factory.
The forum also heard speeches from SVG’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Consumer Affairs, Frederick Stephenson, (SVG) and Assistant Commissioner Christopher Benjamin.
Panellists included Rodney Taylor, secretary-general of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union, along with officials and experts from Taiwan, SVG, the World Bank, and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States.
The forum underscored the partnerships between Taiwan and like-minded nations.
Karin Sullivan, Chargé d’Affaires, U.S. Embassy to Barbados, and Geoffrey Patton, resident British commissioner, British High Commission, also delivered introductory remarks, reaffirming their countries’ commitment to supporting regional digital advancement and security.
During the forum, Taiwan handed over to SVG four state-of-the-art 55-inch video walls and 10 to the Police Security Operations Centre.
“Taiwan remains [committed] to working alongside our democratic partners to bring stability, prosperity, and sustainable development to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the region,” a press release said.