Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (fifth from left), President of Palau Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. (fifth from right), and the ambassadors of Taiwan, the United States, Japan, and Australia attend the opening ceremony of the Pacific Prosperity Exhibit.

 

 

During the 55th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting held in Palau, the Taiwan Design Research Institute (TDRI) was commissioned by the Palauan government to lead the curation and execution of the "Pacific Prosperity Exhibit." In close collaboration with Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Embassy of Taiwan in Palau, and key international partners, TDRI integrated exhibition curation, visual media, interactive technology, and spatial design to showcase the significant achievements of Taiwan’s regional cooperation with its Pacific allies and like-minded partners.

 

Centered around the theme "A Voyage into Tomorrow," the exhibition drew inspiration from the Pacific Ocean, local Palauan culture, and island life. It transformed six key areas of cooperation—low-carbon energy, smart healthcare, smart agriculture, digital resilience, infrastructure, and social empowerment—into an immersive exhibition experience that could be seen, felt, and understood. Through spatial storytelling and interactive design, the exhibition moved beyond presenting information, creating a diplomatic setting where international guests and visitors could engage with stories of partnership and experience a genuine sense of connection.

 

At the exhibition’s opening ceremony, Palauan President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr., Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, and representatives from Taiwan, the United States, Japan, Australia, and other partner nations gathered to officially launch the exhibition. Inspired by Toluk, the traditional Palauan currency, the interactive centerpiece at the heart of the venue symbolized wealth, sharing, and prosperity. Representatives jointly activated the installation, symbolizing the convergence of diverse nations and their shared journey toward the future of the Pacific. The immersive format and interactive experience left a lasting impression on guests, demonstrating how design can foster shared understanding and connection in international diplomacy.

 

The exhibition design centers on an immersive experience, incorporating ocean imagery and distinctive marine life from Palau.

 

The project spanned seven months of intense preparation, requiring seamless coordination among teams in Taiwan, Palau, and international partner organizations—from concept development, content translation, and visual-spatial design to cross-border logistics, on-site installation, and opening execution. Facing challenges related to shipping schedules, international logistics, material integration, and local construction conditions, TDRI worked continuously with the Palauan government, MOFA, the Embassy of Taiwan in Palau, and the execution teams to ensure the design concept was successfully realized and delivered on schedule. 

 

Inspired by Toluk, the traditional Palauan currency, the interactive centerpiece at the heart of the exhibition symbolizes wealth, sharing, and prosperity. 

 

During the exhibition, the central screen presents the initiatives featured in the Pacific Prosperity Exhibit, inviting visitors to read about the programs and leave messages of blessing.

 

The opening ceremony launch.

 

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr., and representatives from the United States, Japan, Australia, and other partner nations jointly activated the installation. As energy from different nations converged into a vibrant beam of light on the screen, the installation symbolized a shared journey toward the future of the Pacific, reflecting Taiwan’s commitment through its "Prosperity Program" to deepening regional partnerships.

 

For TDRI, the "Pacific Prosperity Exhibit" was more than an exhibition planning and execution project; it represented a concrete practice of how design can contribute to international exchange and elevate diplomatic communication. Through the power of design, complex stories of international cooperation were translated into clear, engaging, and meaningful exhibition narratives—demonstrating how Taiwan’s design capabilities can help foster dialogue, understanding, and collaboration on the global stage.

 

Looking ahead, Taiwan Design Research Institute will continue to use design as a bridge to connect international partners and cross-disciplinary resources, pushing forward collaborative initiatives that drive public value and global impact, while creating new possibilities for prosperity, resilience, and sustainable development across the Pacific region.

 

 

【Pacific Prosperity Exhibit】 
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Dates: Friday, August 28 – Sunday, September 6, 2026
Venue: Palau National Gym

 

 

【Credits】

 

▧ Exhibition Design Team｜Archicake Design

Curator｜Ping Hung Chung

Curatorial Planner｜Chih Nan Wang

Spatial Design｜Hui Chun Chen

Visual Design｜Yi Ching Tung, Kai Wen Yang, Ya Yin Hsu

 

▧ Interaction Design & Executive Team｜iF Plus

Executive Director｜Poyu Wang

Project Director｜Rita Yeh

Project Manager｜Rita Yeh, Te wei Liu

Content Producer｜Kiki Huang, Vicki Huang

Visual Designer｜Hsuan-Hsuan Ku

UI/UX Designer｜Elise Chen

Technical Artist & Interactive Programmer｜Jay Wu

2D Animator｜Allen Chang

3D Animator｜9Grid Design

Hardware Engineer｜Wei Xin You

 

▧ Animation Production｜MixCode Studio

Executive Producer｜TuBo Lee, Chiunyi Ko

Art Director｜Kea Xie

Producer｜Isla Chiang, An Chen, Xuan Huang

Storyboard Artist｜Kea Xie

Art Designer｜Yon Yon Chen, Aqua Chen, Tien Yu Hsiung, Yuxun Hsu

Cel Animator｜Ding Do, Chi Jen Yen, Fang Fang Yu, Tien Yu Hsiung

2D Animator & Compositor｜Hao Chen Liao, Bo-Lin Chu, Kea Xie

2D Animator｜Big Mo

3D Animator｜Hank Chen, Big Mo, Kea Xie

 

▧ Sound Artist｜Yu Chun Wang

 

▧ Sound Production｜Meta-Margin Studio

 

▧ Content Consultants｜Cheng Cheng Lee, Heading Attorney at Law

 

▧ Content Partner｜Uli Books

 

▧ AV System Coordination｜PJT

 

▧ Exhibition Photography & Documentation | FIXER Photographic Studio