May 10, 2023
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement on May 9 entitled “Taiwan as an Observer in the World Health Assembly,” strongly encouraging the World Health Organization (WHO) to invite Taiwan to participate as an observer in this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) so that Taiwan may share its expertise with other countries. The statement stressed that inviting Taiwan to the WHA would exemplify WHO’s commitment to an inclusive approach to international health cooperation aimed at realizing health for all. It described Taiwan as a highly capable, engaged, and responsible member of the global health community that has been invited to participate as an observer in previous WHA meetings. In the statement, Taiwan was recognized for its distinct capabilities and approaches—including its significant public health expertise, democratic governance, and advanced technology—which would bring considerable value to related WHA discussions. The statement also noted that Taiwan’s isolation from the WHA is unjustified and undermines inclusive global public health cooperation.
This marks the third consecutive year that Secretary Blinken has issued a statement supporting Taiwan’s participation as an observer in the WHA and recognizing Taiwan’s public health expertise and global contributions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) welcomes and appreciates this action. That the statement was issued just days before the beginning of the 76th WHA highlights the United States’ staunch endorsement of Taiwan’s meaningful international participation. The Taiwan government will actively safeguard the Taiwanese people’s right to health and build on the existing solid foundation to enhance its close cooperation with the United States and other like-minded countries to further contribute to global epidemic prevention and to public health.