Taiwan has launched a new international disaster-management alliance, a diplomatic win for Taipei as it turns its typhoon and earthquake experience into a tool for building ties with other countries.

• President Lai Ching-te formally announced the World Alliance for Disaster Management (WADM) at a Taipei forum on whole-of-society defense resilience.
• The alliance will be based in Taiwan and focus on training, information sharing, capacity building, and joint disaster drills.
• Taiwan's diplomatic allies signed on as founding members, with partners from the U.S., Japan, the U.K., Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Turkey, and the Philippines also taking part.
• Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said Taiwan will use its strengths in AI, drones, and communications tech to make disaster cooperation more effective.
• Palau and Eswatini leaders backed the effort, pointing to drought risk from a coming strong El Niño and stressing that disasters cross borders.

Outlook: Taipei expects more countries, cities, and professional groups to join, giving Taiwan a new channel for international engagement despite its limited formal diplomatic recognition.