Twice postponed in 2020 and 2021, Taiwan is finally set to host WAN-Ifra’s World News Media Congress in 2023.

The world association of news publishers has set June 28-30 for the seventy-fourth event, in partnership with media and technology company United Daily News Group.

It will take place in the newly opened Hall 2 of Taipei’s Nangang Exhibition Centre, with the Grand Hyatt Taipei – next-door to the famous landmark Taipei 101 building – as the conference hotel.

Like the Zaragova event which has just taken place, the Taiwan congress was postponed as a result of COVID-19 lockdowns, first from June 2020 to September 2021. It will include a number of targeted events for the communities that make up the news media business, including the World Media Leaders Summit, the World Editors Forum and the Women in News Summit.

UDN chairman Duncan Wang said the Taiwan 2023 congress would be the first in Asia since it was held in Bangkok in 2013. “The past decade has witnessed unprecedented challenges in world politics and economics, and the Congress will be a great opportunity for media leaders to revisit Asia and reflect on new trends in quality journalism that have emerged since the outbreak of the global pandemic.”

His parting remark – a welcome to “free, democratic, and beautiful Taiwan” – is a reminder of the growing threat that China may take steps to take control of the island state which it claims.

WAN-Ifra chief executive Vincent Peyrègne described Taiwan as a hub for the entire Asia Pacific and “an ideal place for our international delegates to experience the wealth of the Asia Pacific media landscape.

“Taiwan's democratic institutions have shown resilience despite growing political interference from China.

“To be in Taiwan in 2023 is a statement in support of democracy and a free press at a time of high international tensions. The world's press must show its support.”

Taiwan was ranked as the eighth-strongest democracy in the world last year, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit's new 2021 Democracy Index, and as the second strongest in Asia and Australasia, even as democracies elsewhere continue to struggle. ​​EIU rankings are based on five key metrics: electoral process and pluralism, functioning of government, political participation, political culture and civil liberties.

Taiwan has a highly digitised population of 24 million who embrace mobile technology and innovation – which has enabled the country to manage the COVID-19 pandemic exceptionally well.

For more information and regular updates, visit the event website.