The Drone Diplomacy Task Force on Tuesday signed a letter of intent (LOI) with the Arlington, Virginia-based Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) to promote talent exchanges and international certification. The LOI was signed at XPONENTIAL, an autonomy and robotics exhibition in Detroit, Michigan, which began on Monday and runs through today. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs-arranged task force also participated in Tuesday afternoon’s US-Taiwan Autonomous Systems Cooperation Forum. Photo courtesy of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago AUVSI chief executive officer Michael Robbins said that Taiwan is the association’s first choice for expanding its Green Unmanned Aircraft Systems certification due to its “non-red” supply chain, and outstanding resilience, speed, scale and leadership in the uncrewed autonomous vehicle (UAV) sector. Under the increasing threat of authoritarian states, democratic nations need to work together, Robbins said, adding that Taiwan is not only home to strong manufacturing, and research and development capabilities, but also serves as a key front line in maintaining regional peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. AUVSI is the world’s largest trade association for uncrewed systems, robotics and autonomous technologies. Photo courtesy of the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology The task force last week attended the SelectUSA Investment Summit, hosted by the US Department of Commerce in Maryland. It was established after President William Lai (賴清德) in October last year pledged to develop Taiwan’s “five trusted industry sectors,” said Department of NGO International Affairs Director Chiang Zhen-wei (江振瑋), who is heading the task force. The five industries are: semiconductors, artificial intelligence, military defense, security and surveillance, and next-generation communications. The task force was established by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) to boost international cooperation in the UAV sector, similar to the work being done for semiconductor diplomacy, Chiang said. Taiwan’s drone