Distinguished leaders and esteemed guests,
September 20, 2024, we stand united in honoring the legacy of two remarkable leaders who have made an indelible impact on the Indo-Pacific region and global peace—Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Dr. Tan-Sun Chen.
We gather today to commemorate the 70th birthday of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a visionary global leader whose lifelong dedication to Japan and world peace continues to inspire us all. In 2015, his profound contributions were recognized when he received the World Leaders Award for Peace and Security from the Boston Global Forum (BGF). Though Prime Minister Abe’s life was tragically cut short on July 8, 2022, his vision endures, shaping our efforts towards a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.
To carry forward his work and legacy, BGF established the Shinzo Abe Initiative, which includes the annual Shinzo Abe Award, and today, we are deeply honored to present the Shinzo Abe Award to Dr. Tan-Sun Chen, Chairman of the Prospect Foundation and Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan. This award recognizes Dr. Chen’s exemplary leadership in advancing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.
Dr. Tan-Sun Chen has made a significant and lasting impact in Taiwan’s political and diplomatic spheres, bolstering Taiwan’s international standing. His distinguished career includes roles as a Legislative Yuan member, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mayor of Tainan County. During his tenure as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Chen worked tirelessly to strengthen Taiwan’s global presence and build crucial international partnerships, a remarkable achievement during a time of growing geopolitical challenges.
As Chairman of the Prospect Foundation, Dr. Chen has remained a driving force behind initiatives that promote cultural exchange, education, and social development. These efforts align closely with the Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy, a vision ardently championed by the late Prime Minister Abe. The Prospect Foundation, through international engagements such as the Ketagalan Forum, has contributed significantly to advancing Taiwan’s diplomatic outreach and engagement with global discussions on democracy and freedom.
Moreover, Dr. Chen’s personal relationship with Prime Minister Abe played a critical role in strengthening the bond between Japan and Taiwan, laying the foundation for the strong bilateral ties we celebrate today. The Boston Global Forum, through its Indo-Pacific Spark Initiative in collaboration with the Wahba Institute for Strategic Competition at the Wilson Center, is committed to carrying forward Prime Minister Abe’s legacy. Together, we work towards ensuring a free, open, and peaceful Indo-Pacific.
As we honor Dr. Chen today, we celebrate his remarkable contributions and the profound impact of his life’s work. In doing so, we reaffirm our commitment to building a global ecosystem of economic and political cooperation that fosters world peace and security. Let us be inspired by the examples of Dr. Chen and Prime Minister Abe, as we continue our shared mission to create a future where peace, freedom, and democracy flourish across the Indo-Pacific and the world.
Thank you to the Friends of Shinzo Abe Association in Taiwan for organizing today’s prestigious event. Thank you, dear friends.
Acceptance Speech by Dr. Chen Tang-shan, Chairman of the Prospect Foundation
This evening, the Taiwan Shinzo Abe Friends Association is hosting the “Shinzo Abe Memoir Book Launch” at the Grand Hotel Taipei, gathering many people who cherish Mr. Abe’s efforts to strengthen Taiwan-Japan relations. The enthusiastic attendance is a testament to the fact that, even two years after his passing, Mr. Abe is far from forgotten. On the contrary, his tireless dedication has left an even deeper imprint in all our hearts. Mr. Abe’s influence extends beyond Taiwan-Japan relations. He was the first political leader to advocate for the concept of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” which later shaped the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy. In recognition of his contributions, the Boston Global Forum (BGF) established the commemorative “Shinzo Abe Award.” At last year’s inaugural award ceremony, the recipient was Minister Sanae Takaichi, who had long followed Mr. Abe’s path. This year, I am deeply honored to have been selected as the second recipient, with Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, co-founder of the BGF, traveling all the way to Taiwan to personally present this meaningful award at this special occasion in memory of Mr. Abe. While I am profoundly grateful for this recognition, this honor belongs not only to me but to all the people in Taiwan who deeply admire Mr. Abe. I hope that Taiwan-Japan relations will continue to flourish, and that Mr. Abe’s insightful vision for the Indo-Pacific will inspire more countries to enhance Taiwan’s international standing.
