蔡英文指出，很高興有機會歡迎大家來到台灣，特別是去（2024）年11月在哈利法克斯論壇上所有朋友來台灣訪問，「我很高興看到你們中有這麼多人，接受了這個邀請！」
蔡英文提到，她希望大家來台灣不僅僅是為了享受美食、風景與熱情好客，更是為了讓大家親身體驗台灣民主；既然來到這裡，她期盼台灣的民主歷程，以及由此帶來的所有成功，將進一步激勵大家為促進世界各地的自由與安全而努力。
蔡英文強調，「今天，當我們面臨一個必將因其不可預測性而被銘記的歷史時刻時，這項工作有了新的意義；我們可以預見在不久的將來會發生許多變化，並需要適應新的現實」。
蔡英文相信，無論如何，堅持的核心「民主價值」，將使大家能夠在情況不斷變化的情況下，創造更美好的未來，而這些民主價值正是大家聚集在哈利法克斯國際安全論壇與台北。
蔡英文表示，相信大家已經注意到，在台灣對民主的重要性有深刻的體會，與許多其它國家的民主相同，台灣的民主是透過數十年的鬥爭和犧牲才得來的；台灣走出威權主義的陰影，走向民主的光明，這本身就是一個了不起的故事，但同樣值得一提的是隨後台灣在民主上的進步！
蔡英文指出，自民主化以來，台灣培育了更自由的社會外，全球地位上升，經濟更加活躍；在這個世界上，獨裁者愈來愈相信他們的治理體制，比我們的治理體系更有效，而台灣證明了民主和自由可促進強勁的經濟與社會發展。
她告訴在場的國際友人，台灣將持續盡自己的責任，維護區域的和平與安全，並為全球人民與夥伴帶來繁榮，「我們保衛國家與共同價值觀的決心，依然堅定不移」。
蔡前總統說，「今日的台灣已非2300萬人口總和，它的貢獻遠遠超越了國界，現在的台灣是世界的台灣，感謝國際夥伴與我們一起努力，實現共同利益與繁榮，因此她要感謝哈利法克斯把世界帶到台灣，「我們珍惜這個與你們分享民主的機會，期待與你們共同努力，維護民主價值觀，讓無數人過著更自由、更富裕的生活」。
最後，蔡英文說，HFX論壇台北場的議程安排得相當緊湊，有一群非常出色的領導與專家發表了演講和進行了討論，相信你們在台灣所度過的時光會非常充實，「而離開時會對民主與我們共同的安全，懷抱有更大的熱情，再次感謝哈利法克斯的各位朋友將這項活動帶到台北，祝論壇圓滿成功，大家在台灣度過愉快的時光，謝謝」。
蔡前總統英文致詞全文：
20250220 Halifax International Security Forum in Taipei
Thank you Dr. Rubio for the introduction. I am delighted to have the opportunity to welcome you to Taiwan, especially after I invited all friends of the Halifax Forum to visit Taiwan last November at the forum in Halifax. I am so happy to see so many of you accepted this invitation!
I wanted you to come to Taiwan not just to enjoy the food, scenery, and hospitality, but to let you experience our democracy first-hand. Now that you are here, I hope that Taiwan’s democratic journey, and all of the success this has facilitated, will serve as further inspiration to you in your work to advance freedom and security around the world.
Today, this work has taken on new meaning as we navigate a historical moment that will surely be remembered for its unpredictability. We can expect many changes in our near future and will need to adapt to new realities.
This may take time and some upheaval. But I believe that no matter what, holding fast to our core democratic values will allow us to create a better future despite this changing landscape. Those democratic values are what brought us together at the Halifax International Security Forum as well as here in Taipei.
I am sure you have noticed that in Taiwan, we have a profound appreciation for the importance of democracy. Our democracy, like many others, came hard-earned through decades of struggle and sacrifice. Taiwan’s emergence from the shadow of authoritarianism into the light of democracy is in itself a remarkable story. But just as worthy of mention is the subsequent progress Taiwan has made as a democracy.
Since democratization, Taiwan has nurtured a freer society, a greater global standing, and a more dynamic economy. In a world where authoritarians increasingly believe that their system of governance is more effective than ours, Taiwan stands as testament to the fact that democracy and freedom can foster robust economic and social development.
Here, with our friends from the international community in attendance, I want to tell you that Taiwan will continue to do its part to uphold peace and security in the region, and to bring prosperity to our people and partners around the world. Our determination to safeguard our homeland and our shared values remains steadfast.
Today’s Taiwan is more than the sum of its 23 million people; it makes contributions far beyond its borders. Taiwan now is a Taiwan of the world. And we are grateful to our international partners for working with us toward our common interests and common prosperity.
So I want to thank Halifax for bringing the world to Taiwan. We cherish this opportunity to share our democracy with you. And we look forward to working with you to secure the democratic values that have helped so many people live freer and more prosperous lives.
The program for this forum in Taipei is packed with speeches and discussions by a very impressive group of leaders and experts. I have no doubt that your time here will be well spent, and that you will leave with an even greater passion for democracy and for our common security.
Now, I am sure you are all looking forward to having some refreshments and good conversation. So let me end by thanking everyone at Halifax again for bringing this event to
Taipei. I wish you all a successful forum and an enjoyable time in Taiwan.
Thank you.
