The government and people of Taiwan are deeply displeased over the country’s noninvation to the 74th World Health Assembly held virtually this year due to COVID-19, according to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Health and Welfare May 24.
In a joint statement, the MOFA and MOHW thanked the international community for standing with Taiwan and backing its bid for participation in the World Health Organization’s annual meeting. They also reaffirmed the government’s rock-solid commitment to securing a voice for the country in the WHA.
MOFA Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu said it is regrettable the WHO continues its indifference to the rights of Taiwan’s 23.5 million people. In disregarding calls to allow the country to contribute to global health and medicine, the specialized agency undermines the U.N. system’s promise to Leave No One Behind and deprives member states of the benefits of Taiwan’s extensive know-how in an array of related areas, he added.
Echoing Wu’s remarks, MOHW Minister Chen Shih-chung said the recent surge in COVID-19 case numbers in Taiwan demonstrates disease knows no borders. Sidelining the country creates a gap in the global management and prevention network, Chen said, adding that all available expertise and information must be shared in the collective fight for good health and well-being.
Chen said as a professional international health body, the WHO should represent and serve the interests of humankind, not capitulate to the political agenda and interests of a certain member.
According to the MOFA, Taiwan’s efforts to take part in the activities, mechanisms and meetings of the WHO are gaining momentum on the back of the increasingly virulent threat posed by coronavirus. The severity of the pandemic has made countries around the world even more aware of the importance, urgency and need for Taiwan’s inclusion in the global health organization, the ministry said.
Case in point, the MOFA said, is the high-level showing of unprecedented support by the Group of Seven foreign ministers urging the country’s meaningful WHO and WHA participation contained in the recent G-7 communique. In addition, heads of government, ministers, officials and politicians from around the world, including the allies and like-minded partners such as Canada, Japan, the EU and U.S., have publicly expressed staunch support for Taiwan, the ministry added.
The sheer magnitude of backing bears testament to the fact that the global community recognizes the legitimacy of Taiwan’s WHO participation, the MOFA said, adding that the country will keep striving to join global endeavors promoting the health and safety of all people. (SFC-E)
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