The 2023 Austronesian Forum was held in Majuro, the capital of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, on August 16. Icyang Parod, Minister of the Council of Indigenous Peoples, and Chairman of the Forum, traveled from Taiwan to preside over the meeting, marking his fourth visit to the country. David Kabua, the current president of the Republic of the Marshall Islands,Hilda Heine, the former president, tribe chiefs, and representatives from 15 regions totaling about 110 people, attended the forum. The meeting was a great success and received an overwhelming response.
Icyang Parod, Minister of the Council of Indigenous Peoples, stated that tourism is closely related to the living areas of Austronesian peoples. Each ethnic group has unique ways and the wisdom to live with the mountains, forests, rivers, seas, and land around them. The thought of sustainably coexisting with the natural environment is also important guidance in the face of face climate change. In April 2024, The Third World Indigenous Tourism Summit (WITS) will beheld in Taiwan. We sincerely welcome the public to the event.
Today, David Kabua, the President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, attended the opening ceremony and stated that the Republic of the Marshall Islands is a founding member of Austronesian Forum. He believes that Austronesian peoples can change the world proactively through the sharing of traditional wisdom, culture, and creativity.
The forum this year focused on the development of tourism of Austronesian peoples. The representatives of various countries believed that it should aim at the subjectivity ofAustronesian peoples. They hoped that by the provision of the guided tour service from theperspective of locals, the sustainable development of tourism can be promoted smoothly, andthe economic benefits generated by tourism can be shared. Other participants alsodemonstrated that the tourism development of Austronesian countries has its own features.However, they also face common problems including climate change, rising sea levels, and theloss of language and culture. They expect that while developing tourism in the future,traditional culture can also be preserved.