International Cooperation
Since the Soil and Groundwater Pollution Remediation Act (hereinafter referred to as the Act) took effect in February 2000, Taiwan has ushered in a new era of soil and groundwater environmental protection. It was among the first Asia-Pacific countries to establish a comprehensive legal system. To strengthen the effectiveness of contaminated site management and advance remediation technologies, the Soil and Groundwater Pollution Remediation Fund Management Board (hereinafter referred to as Management Board) has actively participated in and promoted international exchanges and cooperation. These efforts aim to continuously improve Taiwan’s contaminated site management system, promote the development and application of related technologies, and position Taiwan as a hub for soil and groundwater policy and technology exchange in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Working Group on Remediation for Soil and Groundwater Pollution of Asian and Pacific Region (ReSAGPAPR WG, hereinafter referred to as ReSAG), initiated by the Environmental Management Administration ( EMA), was established in 2011 as a regional international cooperation platform. It currently has 12 member countries, with the mission of promoting regional collaboration and providing technical expertise and experience in soil and groundwater environmental protection.
Professional Training Course of ReSAG
From December 4 to 9, 2023, the EMA organized the fourth ReSAG training course at National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City. This was the first official training after the COVID-19 pandemic, with 42 young officials and scholars from member countries. The program combined theory with practical field visits, leaving participants deeply impressed by Taiwan’s management policies, technical capacity, and engineering expertise in soil and groundwater environmental protection, providing valuable references for future application.
Figure 1. Opening ceremony group photo with Deputy Minister Chih-Hsiu Shen (center, front row), Deputy Director General and Executive Secretary of the SGRFMB Jui-Hsiang Liu (third from left, front row), and participants.2023 Taiwan-U.S.-Thailand Technical Exchange on Soil and Groundwater
Since 2005, the EMA and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) have established a solid foundation for cooperation in the field of soil and groundwater pollution remediation. In 2023, the EMA extended bilateral cooperation to a member country of ReSAG—Thailand—launching the first Taiwan-U.S.-Thailand tripartite collaboration. Delegates from the EMA and U.S. EPA visited Thailand to provide on-site assistance for contaminated site management issues. This initiative deepened Taiwan–U.S. environmental cooperation and enhanced exchanges with New Southbound Policy partner countries. It also created favorable opportunities for Taiwan’s environmental diplomacy.
Figure 2. Group photo of representatives at the 2023 Taiwan–U.S.–Thailand Soil and Groundwater Technical Exchange
Figure 3. On-site inspection at a contaminated site in Rayong Province with the Director-General of the Department of Industrial Works of Thailand and the U.S. delegation2024 International Technical Exchange on Emerging Contaminants and Remedial Practice
On June 27–28, 2024, the EMA invited three experts from the United States to share insights on the international management of emerging contaminants, treatment technologies, and case studies. To enhance participants’ technical understanding, several Taiwanese experts and scholars were also invited for interactive discussions, helping attendees quickly grasp the latest global developments.
Figure 4. Opening ceremony group photo of the Taiwan–U.S. workshop2024 International Collaboration on Sustainable Soil and Groundwater Protection and Resource Recycling Workshop
From October 27 to November 3, 2024, the EMA held an international workshop at National Cheng Kung University, combining professional training, academic seminars, and field visits. Experts from ReSAG member countries—including Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, and Australia—were invited to participate. In addition, through collaboration with the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), participants from eight countries (the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal) also attended. A total of 33 representatives from 11 countries participated, showcasing Taiwan’s technical capacity and strengthening knowledge-sharing with Asia-Pacific partners.
Figure 5. Opening ceremony of the 2024 International Collaboration on Sustainable Soil and Groundwater Protection and Resource Recycling Workshop
Figure 6. Group photo of international and domestic participants of the workshop