Jason Hwang Attends Rotary International Convention, Aims to Make Taipei a Top-Tier AI City

(Central News Agency reporter Hsu Chih-wei, Taipei, June 14) Taipei Mayor Jason Hwang attended the 2026 Rotary International Convention today, stating that Taipei is a diverse, friendly, inclusive, and innovation-driven international city, and expressed his vision for Taipei to become one of the world’s top AI cities by 2035, serving as a pivotal hub for AI development.

The 2026 Rotary International Convention is being held in Taipei from June 13 to 17, bringing together over 37,000 Rotary members and attendees from more than 140 countries. The plenary session was held today at the Taipei Dome, with Mayor Jason Hwang and other distinguished guests in attendance.

Delivering his speech in English, Mayor Hwang expressed gratitude to Rotary International for selecting Taipei as the host city. He emphasized that this honor reflects not only pride for Taipei but also deep trust and recognition of the city’s capabilities.

Hwang described Taipei as a vibrant, multicultural city—like a hot pot filled with diverse ingredients and rich flavors—where tradition coexists with innovation, and diversity and inclusivity are cherished. He stressed that values such as freedom, democracy, and inclusiveness are deeply embedded in Taipei’s DNA.

He highlighted NVIDIA’s recent decision to establish its first overseas headquarters in Taipei, underscoring the city’s growing role in AI and startup development. Taipei’s goal is clear: to become one of the world’s leading AI cities by 2035 and a driving force in the future of AI innovation.

Beyond technological advancement, Hwang emphasized Taipei’s vision of becoming a sustainable, prosperous, and hopeful capital. The Taipei Dome is actively promoting international sports and cultural exchanges, and the city is committed to evolving into a capital that integrates sports, safety, and future-readiness.

Hwang announced that Taipei has been awarded the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize, often referred to as the 'Nobel Prize for cities.' This marks Taipei’s first win and the first for any city in Taiwan. He will travel to Singapore tonight to accept the award on behalf of the city, stating that this honor belongs to all Taipei citizens and those who have contributed to the city’s progress. He pledged to continue strengthening urban governance and collaborating with cities worldwide to build a sustainable and resilient future.

Jason Hsieh, Chair of the Taiwan Host Organizing Committee for the Rotary International Convention, noted that this is the second time Taipei has hosted the global convention, 32 years after the first in 1994. He said this reflects the strength and global influence of Rotary in Taiwan, where contributions to the Rotary Foundation rank among the world’s top. He expressed gratitude to the Taipei City Government for its support and encouraged everyone to warmly welcome international guests. (Edited by Chang Ya-ching) 1150614