來自30多國講者及全球關注動物處境嘉賓齊聚學習交流.2025第14屆亞洲動物保護大會（Asia for Animals Conference, AfA）為亞洲地區規模最大的動物保護國際交流平台，自2001年創辦以來，每2年由不同國家主辦，今年8月26 至28日首度在台灣主辦，由台灣三個動保組織--台灣動物社會研究會 (EAST)、台灣防止虐待動物協會 (TSPCA)及臺灣動物與人學會 (THASI)負責籌辦。
今年大會主題訂為「動物保護的反省與跨越」，議題涵跨遊蕩動物管理、經濟動物福利、野生動物保育、水生動物福利、動物實驗與科學應用、動物展演、宗教與動物、與產業對話、政策與倡議…等多重面向。三日議程設有專題演講、主題工作坊與論壇、文化交流等，引領與會者深入探討：如何與利害關係人對話、政府與產業的合作策略、轉型的運動與倡議方法、政策倡導與創新、建構跨區域夥伴關係。大會吸引來自30多國、超過600位動物保護各領域專家、學者與實務工作者齊聚台北，共同為改善全球動物處境學習與交流。
中華民國賴清德總統亦出席開幕典禮致詞，賴總統指出：亞洲動物保護大會首次在台灣舉辦，是台灣在動物保護國際舞台上的重要里程，展現國人對生命的尊重與關懷。他強調，動物保護不僅關乎動物福利，更是人與自然和諧共存、追求永續發展的重要基石。賴總統指出，農業部成立動物保護司，推動「健康一體One Health」理念，都是具體展現台灣對動物保護的重視。展望未來，台灣將深化國際合作，分享經驗，攜手全球共同打造人與動物和諧共存的美好未來。
台灣三個主辦團體：#台灣動物社會研究會（EAST）、#台灣防止虐待動物協會（TSPCA）、#台灣動物與人學會（THASI）團體代表在開幕致詞中一致強調：動物保護無國界，這次亞洲動物保護大會在台灣盛大舉行，吸引全球各地關注動物處境者齊聚台灣，是台灣動物保護的重要里程碑。三個組織期許台灣政府能從法律、政策、教育與實際行動持續改善動物處境，讓台灣成為亞洲動物保護的領航員。
共同合辦的 #亞洲動物保護聯盟AfA 執行長 Sarah Grant 表示：「25年前，我們意識到亞洲動物保護運動需要一個團結的聲音。自2000年成立以來，AfA 從一個由少數關注團體組成的小型聯盟，發展為橫跨全球的強大網絡，擁有超過400個成員組織與26個核心成員。20多年來，AfA 已成為重要平台，深度影響區域性的政策與實務發展。共同執行長(Co-CEO) Sirjana Nijjar 則表示：「本屆會議關乎誠實的反思與勇敢的創新。我們將集結25年的集體智慧，開創更具效能、包容性與永續性的動物保護新路徑。目標是透過彼此學習，進而為動物帶來實質的改變。
【The 14th Biennial Asia for Animals Conference (AfA) - Celebrates 25 Years of Impact with Landmark Conference in Taipei - President Lai Ching-Te Attends and Delivers Opening Remarks】
Speakers from Over 30 Countries and Global Advocates Gather to 「Reflect and Break Boundaries」.
TAIPEI, TAIWAN – The Asia for Animals Coalition (AfA), the world's largest network of animal advocacy and protection organizations, will mark its 25th anniversary with the 14th Biennial AfA Conference in Taipei, Taiwan, from August 26-28, 2025. This year, it is co-hosted by three distinguished Taiwanese animal protection organizations: the Environment & Animal Society of Taiwan (#EAST), the Taiwan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (#TSPCA), and the Taiwan Human Animal Studies Institute (#THASI).
The theme of this year’s conference is 「Reflection and Breaking Boundaries- Rethinking Approaches for Animal Protection」.Topics covered at the conference feature a wide range of issues, including the management of free-roaming animals, farm animal welfare, wildlife conservation, aquatic animal welfare, animal experiments and scientific applications, animals in entertainment, religion and animals, dialogue with industry, and policy and advocacy. The three-day program features keynote speeches, thematic workshops and forums, cultural exchanges, and in-depth discussions on stakeholder engagement, government–industry collaboration, strategies for transformation, innovative approaches to advocacy, and building cross-regional partnerships.
The milestone gathering at the Taipei Marriott Hotel will unite over 600 advocates, researchers, scholars, government representatives, industry professionals, and members of the public from over 30 countries.
#President Lai Ching-Te attended the opening ceremony and delivered a thoughtful speech. He noted that hosting AfA in Taiwan for the first time marks a significant milestone in the nation’s engagement on the international stage for animal protection, demonstrating the Taiwanese people’s respect and compassion for life. He emphasized that animal protection is not only about animal welfare but also a cornerstone for harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, as well as for achieving sustainable development. President Lai highlighted the establishment of the Department of Animal Welfare within the Ministry of Agriculture and the promotion of the One Health approach as concrete expressions of Taiwan’s commitment to animal protection. Looking forward, Taiwan will deepen international cooperation, share experiences, and work hand-in-hand with the global community to create a future of harmony between people and animals.
Representatives of the three Taiwanese co-hosts—EAST, TSPCA, and THASI—jointly stressed in their opening statements that animal protection knows no borders. They described the grand convening of the AfA conference in Taiwan as an important milestone for the nation’s animal protection movement, expressing a shared hope that the government will continue to improve animal welfare through legislation, policy, education, and concrete action, positioning Taiwan as a leader of the animal protection movement in Asia.
"Twenty-five years ago, we recognized the need for a unified voice for animal protection across Asia," said Sarah Grant, CEO of AfA. “Since its founding in 2000, AfA has grown from a small gathering of concerned organizations to a powerful network of 400+ organizations and 26 Core Members spanning the entire globe. The Coalition has become the leading platform for animal protection collaboration in Asia, shaping regional animal welfare policy and practice for over two decades.”
"This year's conference is about honest assessment and bold innovation," noted Sirjana Nijjar, Co-CEO of AfA, "We're bringing together the collective wisdom of 25 years to chart new pathways for animal protection that are more effective, inclusive, and sustainable. We are laser focused to support Asian organizations especially grassroots and we are sure that this conference provides a perfect platform for the organizations to exchange knowledge, build relationships and learn effective strategies from each other to impact animals at scale. ".
