2024 Presidential Hackathon International Track: Calling on Global Hackers to Collaborate on Net-Zero Solutions

Ministry of Digital Affairs held a press conference today (July 11) on the call for submissions for the Presidential Hackathon International Track, announcing competition details and encouraging hackers around the world to participate. The theme of this year is "Digital and Green: Next-Generation Public Infrastructure", focusing on digitalization and achieving net zero emissions. The competition seeks innovative solutions integrating digital and information technology with sustainable net-zero practices for public digital infrastructure and services. The hackathon also emphasizes fairness and inclusivity, welcoming diverse ideas and concepts, fostering consensus on issues, and collaboratively brainstorming solutions to bring them to fruition. We sincerely invite global hackers to contribute their innovative ideas for digital and sustainable development through this platform.

Minister Huang Yen-Nun noted that in recent years, countries worldwide have been striving to promote digital transformation and development while also grappling with severe climate challenges. The key is to balance technological advancement with environmental friendliness and to leverage digital tools to enhance "digital resilience". This calls for collective engagement, reflection, and exchanges among global citizens. Therefore, he hopes that the competition will drive digital innovation and international participation by harnessing the potential of open data, emerging technologies, and innovative ideas to generate more effective and creative solutions for digital and net-zero public infrastructure challenges.

During today's press conference, the Ministry of Digital Affairs also invited award-winning teams from previous Presidential Hackathons, including BRSDM@Er-Lin (2022), Re-fill City (2023), and HysonTech (2023), to return and share their experiences. In addition to discussing the current development of their projects, the teams also shared their past competition experiences. The event was also graced by the attendance of  diplomats from various countries to Taiwan, including H.E. Ambassador Andrea Bowman from Embassy of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Ambassador H.E. Dr. Candice Augusta Pitts from Embassy of Belize, Ambassador H.E. Donya Lynex Francis from Embassy of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Ambassador H.E. Ms. Silafaga Lalua O'Brien from Embassy of Tuvalu,  Ambassador H.E. Mr. Francilien Victorin from Embassy of Haiti, Ambassador H.E. Honourable Mohamed Omar H. Mohamoud from Republic of Somaliland Representative Office in Taiwan, Ambassador H.E. Honourable Cyryl Jacek Kozaczewski from Polish Office in Taipei, Ambassador H.E. Mr. Manharsinh Laxmanbhai Yadav from India-Taipei Association,  Ambassador H.E. Honourable Maya Yehudit Yaron from Israel Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei,   Ambassador H.E. Honourable Mohammed Muslem Said Al-Baraami from Sultanate of Oman Commercial Office Taipei, Ambassador H.E. Mr. Sunh Arunrugstichai from Thailand Trade and Economic Office, Ambassador H.E. Ms. Regina Kovacs from Hungarian Trade Office, Ambassador H.E. Mr. Ichwan Joesoef from Indonesian Economic and Trade Office to Taipei, Ambassador H.E. Ms. Portia Allen from New Zealand Commerce and Industry Office, as well as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tien Chung-Kwang, Executive Secretary Yang Chia-Lin from the National Science and Technology Council and Deputy Director-General Wang Mei-Chu from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, showing enthusiastic support for the Presidential Hackathon International Track.

The Presidential Hackathon International Track is a global programming competition organized by the government of Taiwan. Launched by the Office of the President in 2019, it is now in its sixth edition. Last year (2023), the event achieved a significant milestone with 60 teams submitting their projects, drawing participation from hackers across six continents and 33 countries. Minister Huang enthusiastically encourages participants from all walks of life, irrespective of background, age or nationality, to leverage open data, innovative technologies, and creative thinking to devise compelling solutions to public issues, with a strong emphasis on cybersecurity considerations.
Minister Huang warmly invites global hackers to submit their proposals by August 7. For more details, please visit the official website (https://gov.tw/cYQ) or contact Ms. Katie Chang (katie@mail.tca.org.tw) or Ms. Justina Wu (justina_wu@mail.tca.org.tw).

〔Original : Ministry of Digital Affairs〕
https://moda.gov.tw/en/press/press-releases/13090