May 18, 2023
no. 165
The representative offices to Taiwan of eight like-minded countries—namely, the American Institute in Taiwan; the Australian Office, Taipei; the British Office Taipei; the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei; the Czech Economic and Cultural Office; the German Institute Taipei; the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association; and the Lithuanian Trade Representative Office—issued a joint press release on May 18 reaffirming their support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the work of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Taiwan’s participation as an observer in the World Health Assembly (WHA). This marks the third consecutive year that representative offices to Taiwan of like-minded nations have issued a joint statement endorsing Taiwan’s participation in WHO and the WHA. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) sincerely appreciates their support.
The press release notes that as the 76th session of the WHA approaches, Taiwan remains excluded from the world’s international health system. It stresses that inviting Taiwan to the WHA as an observer would best exemplify WHO’s commitment to an inclusive, health-for-all approach to international health cooperation. It also states that Taiwan’s isolation from the WHA is unjustified and undermines inclusive cooperation and security, and that Taiwan’s meaningful participation in WHO would benefit not only the Taiwanese people but all people around the world.
Taiwan has earned international recognition and affirmation for enduring and substantive efforts that have demonstrated its medical expertise and strengths, as well as for proactively sharing its antipandemic experience and making related contributions. On the eve of the 76th session of the WHA, like-minded countries have again taken concrete action to show their firm support for Taiwan’s participation in the event. MOFA calls on WHO to face the situation and embrace Taiwan’s participation in the WHA and all WHO meetings, activities, and mechanisms. (E)