President Ma Ying-jeou has pledged to help develop clean energy in the Pacific island country of Nauru, one of Taiwan's 22 diplomatic allies.
In a meeting in Taipei with visiting Nauru President Baron Waqa, Ma said Taiwan will help Nauru halve its use of diesel for power generation by 2020.
To this end, Taiwan will provide the island country with solar-powered lighting equipment and energy-saving lamps, Ma said.
Taiwan and Nauru maintain close cooperation in the areas of agriculture, medical services, public health, clean energy, human resource development and cultural exchanges, Ma said.
For example, Taichung Veterans General Hospital has signed an agreement with Nauru's health department to send doctors to help improve medical services in Nauru, Ma said.
Noting that 31 Nauru citizens, including Waqa's children, have studied in Taiwan since 2006, Ma said he hoped to see more students from that country in the future.