May 2, 2024
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on May 1 issued a statement entitled “Taiwan as an Observer at the 77th World Health Assembly.” Pointing out that Taiwan participated as an observer in the WHA from 2009 to 2016, he strongly encouraged the World Health Organization (WHO) to reinstate an invitation for Taiwan to attend the 77th WHA as an observer so that the world could again benefit from Taiwan’s expertise and experience.
In the statement, Secretary Blinken recognized Taiwan’s exceptional expertise in public health as well as its capability and willingness to help address global health crises and support the global health community. He noted that Taiwan’s continued exclusion from the WHA would undermine global public health cooperation and security. He stressed that inviting Taiwan to observe the WHA would be a critically important step toward affirming WHO’s goal of Health for All.
With the 77th WHA to be held soon, Secretary Blinken’s statement again demonstrated the United States’ strong support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. During recent hearings held by the US Senate and House of Representatives committees on foreign affairs, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink explicitly endorsed Taiwan’s participation in the WHA as an observer as well as its involvement in the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Criminal Police Organization, and other world bodies.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) sincerely welcomes and appreciates high-level US officials continuing to publicly support Taiwan’s international participation and recognize Taiwan as a democratic partner and force for good capable of contributing to the international community. The government of Taiwan remains committed to safeguarding the Taiwanese people’s right to international participation. It will build on the existing robust foundation to further enhance close cooperation with the United States and other like-minded countries in order to do its part for the global community.