On March 26, the Council of Indigenous Peoples (CIP) held the 2022 Austronesian Languages Revitalization Forum at the B1 International Conference Hall of the Executive Yuan Xinzhuang Joint Office Tower to continuously carry out the international exchange policies of Austronesian peoples, which promote the exchange of talents and language restoration experience from various countries and establish an eternal platform.

The forum follows the model of the United Nations conferences. In addition to Chinese and English, there are 7 indigenous languages being simultaneously interpreted such as Taroko, Tsou, SaiSiyat, Ami, etc., demonstrating the discourse power and diversity of Austronesian languages. Languages have no more barriers with simultaneous interpretation and technology. Mother tongue is no longer an obstacle in communication but rather a conversation starter and connection between Austronesian countries.

The CIP has held the Austronesian Language Revitalization Forum since 2019 and exchanged results of the promotion at the forum. This year, Hong Xiao-Chun, an archaeologist in Taiwan, was specially invited to share "The Origin of the Austronesian Languages." In addition, Maria Lourie Victor, Senior Commissioner of the Philippine Department of Education (DepEd) - Indigenous Peoples Education Office (IPsEO,) and Saina Rosa Palomo, Master of Education and Reading from University of Guam, were invited to introduce relevant foreign practices and experiences as references for the implementation of online teaching strategies in the future.

The full speech of CIP Minister Icyang is as follows:

Hello to representatives from each country, partners promoting indigenous languages, fellow guests, and friends who are participating from live streaming!

In September 2019, CIP held the "International Austronesian Language Revitalization Forum" in Palau for the first time. Representatives from 12 countries, which are Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu, Belize, Philippines, Indonesia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Guam, Australia, and United States, shared their experiences in language revitalization.

The theme for this year’s International Mother Language Day at the United Nations is: "Using Technology to Promote Multilingual Learning." Today, I will speak in my native language. You can instantly understand the content of my speech through the simultaneous interpretation equipment. There are also 7 Taiwan’s indigenous languages here today with simultaneous interpreters. This is a major development in friendly language environment. In the future, I hope that Austronesian peoples can also hold events in their mother languages.

To express the importance of Taiwan among Austronesian countries, to share the methods of teaching in various countries, and to apply and preserve online learning, we invited scholars and experts from home and abroad to publish and exchange their experiences. We hope to jointly construct the preservation and development of Austronesian languages through the lessons of other countries,

Finally, I hope that with your valuable opinions this year, the forum drafts an important policy plan to promote the revitalization of Austronesian languages, so our languages will pass on. I wish everyone good health and good luck, aray!