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日首度在臺灣主辦，由臺灣三個動保組織--台灣動物社會研究會 (EAST)、臺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臺灣，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臺灣舉辦，是臺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，都是具體展現臺灣對動物保護的重視。展望未來，臺灣將深化國際合作，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。
臺灣三個主辦團體：台灣動物社會研究會（EAST）、臺灣防止虐待動物協會（TSPCA）、臺灣動物與人學會（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臺灣盛大舉行，吸引全球各地關注動物處境者齊聚台灣，是臺灣動物保護的重要里程碑。三個組織期許臺灣政府能從法律、政策、教育與實際行動持續改善動物處境，讓臺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。
大會總召暨媒體聯絡人： 台灣動物社會研究會副執行長陳玉敏 0910-150-908
媒體包：連結
【附件：亞洲動物保護聯盟AfA資訊】
全球影響，區域聚焦
亞洲動物保護聯盟（AfA）秉持尊重動物感知能力、讓所有動物享有良好生活的願景，持續推動多元活動。AfA 的使命不僅限於定期舉辦會議，更涵蓋倡議、組織賦能與資源共享。該聯盟提供指導、合作機會與策略支持。近期行動包括了開創性的研究報告、與社群媒體平台合作打擊虐待動物內容，並於國際論壇推動政策倡議。
25年來的重要成就
亞洲動物保護聯盟在過去25年達成的關鍵里程碑包括：
● 成立專責工作小組
○ 全球首個針對社群媒體動物虐待內容的聯盟 — SMACC（反對社群媒體動物虐待聯盟）
○ 亞洲首個獼猴聯盟，促進相關組織間的溝通與協作
○ 農場動物聯盟，致力於建立亞洲強大且團結的農場動物保護運動
○ 大象聯盟
● 2022年推出
○ AfA政策聯盟，簡化國際政策術語，賦能基層組織，提供工具與強化技能
○ 庇護所與救援中心聯盟，為組織提供合作交流的平台
○ 「一生命」（One Life）教育資源，推動區域動物感知意識
○ 「亞洲平衡同理」(Compassion in Balance Asia)，免費資源與自學課程，緩解動保工作中的同情疲勞與倦怠
● 2023年推出
○ 狗貓聯盟，集中討論貓狗族群管理與福利相關議題
○ 組織培訓聯盟，首個涵蓋全亞洲的量能建設平台，透過多元資源支援組織
● 2024年成立 AfA CONNECT 活動，為雙年會之外的線上季度系列，強化網絡溝通
● 2025年推出
○ 災害韌性聯盟，應對區域特有的災害應變與備災挑戰
The 14th Biennial Asia for Animals Conference (AfA)
Celebrates 25 Years of Impact with Landmark Conference in Taiwan
Speakers from Over 30 Countries and Global Advocates Gather to 「Reflect and Break Boundaries」
President Lai Ching-Te Attends and Delivers Opening Remarks
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, CEOof 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. "
【Additional Information about Asia for Animals Coalition】
Global Impact, Regional Focus
AfA’s vision of a world where animal sentience is respected and all animals live good lives continues to drive its activities. AfA'smission extends beyond conferences to year-round advocacy, capacity building, and resource sharing. The Coalition serves as a central hub for animal protection organizations seeking guidance, collaboration opportunities, and strategic support. Recent initiatives include groundbreaking research reports, social media platform partnerships to combat animal cruelty content, and policy advocacy at international forums.
A Quarter-Century of Achievement
Asia for Animals Coalition - Key milestones over the past 25 years include:
● Launch of specialized working groups -
○ Formation of world’s first coalition to combat animal cruelty content on social media platforms - SMACC (Social Media Animal Cruelty Coalition)
○ Asia’s first Macaque Coalition that facilitate communication and collaboration between organizations working on macaques
○ Farm Animal Coalition to build a strong and united farmed animal protection movement across Asia
○ Elephant Coalition
● 2022: Launch of -
○ AfA Policy Coalition that empowers grassroots organizations by simplifying jargon around international policies and empowers members by providing tools to work policy issues
○ Sanctuaries and Rescue Centres Coalition which is a collaborative and united space for organizations to come together, seek connections, and exchange advice and guidance
○ One Life - an educational resource that helps our movement promote animal sentience to the region.
○ Compassion in Balance Asia - a free resource and self study course catered for our network to alleviate the symptoms of working in animal protection such as compassion fatigue and burnout.
● 2023: Launch of -
○ The Dog and Cat Coalition which is a centralized space to discuss cat and dog issues
○ Capacity in Animal Protection Coalition - the first Asia wide capacity building platform through Capacity in Animal Protection Coalition supporting organizations through various resources a
● 2024: Establishment of AfA CONNECT event, taking place every other year from our conference - an online quarterly series of sessions to enhancing network communication
● 2025: Launch of -
○ Disaster Resilience Coalition established to addressregion specific challenges in disaster response and preparedness
Chief Coordinator and Media Liaison for the Event
Environment & Animal Society of Taiwan (EAST) Yu min Chen 0910-150-908
