Paris: The annual ChangeNOW Summit is featuring a Taiwan pavilion for the first time ever at this year’s three-day event in Paris that will highlight Taiwan’s efforts in marine conservation and sustainable innovation. Organized by Impact Hub Taipei, central government agencies, the city of Taipei, and NGOs, the “Taiwan House” is showcasing projects aimed at protecting ocean ecosystems and promoting a more sustainable future, Impact Hub Taipei said.
According to Focus Taiwan, at the event’s opening ceremony, Taiwan’s representative to France, Hao Pei-chih, emphasized the pavilion as a testament to Taiwan’s active role in global sustainable development. Taiwan, as an island nation, has long committed itself to promoting pragmatic and innovative solutions related to marine conservation, she stated.
French lawmaker Eric Bothorel, present at the event, highlighted Taiwan’s significant contributions to energy transition and sustainability, arguing for its greater international recognition. Bothorel stressed that Taiwan should not be excluded from global participation due to geopolitical pressure and promised to continue advocating for its inclusion in international institutions.
Santiago Lefebvre, founder and CEO of ChangeNOW, mentioned to CNA that Taiwan had responded particularly actively to the summit’s invitation. He explained that the event aims to serve as a collaborative platform, helping innovative solutions secure the necessary support and funding for scaling up.
Among the Taiwanese organizations, Azure Alliance is showcasing its third-generation “Azure Fighter,” an electric autonomous vessel designed to collect floating waste in waterways. CEO Cheer Chen reported that the system has removed over 15,000 kilograms of marine debris, primarily consisting of household garbage such as PET bottles, fishing buoys, plastic bags, and disposable utensils.
Wonder Greener is presenting its plant-based Lepironia straws, a plastic-free alternative currently utilized by over 1,500 clients worldwide. Founder Benson Chen noted that the product is competitively priced with paper straws and manufactured using an automated process. The company is also displaying a plant-based mat designed to aid coral reef restoration by protecting exposed corals from heat and sunlight.
Additionally, Re-Think is showcasing its “Guidebook of Marine Debris” and “Recycle Index,” which leverage data-driven approaches to enhance public understanding of waste and improve recycling rates. Founded in 2017, the ChangeNOW Summit brings together global innovators and sustainability leaders to promote actionable solutions to environmental challenges. This year’s event features national pavilions from Taiwan, the Netherlands, and Ukraine.