Why Taiwan’s Participation in the World Health Assembly Is Important

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize News

By: H.E. David Kuan-Chou Chien,  Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Belize

The 75^th World Health Assembly (WHA) will take place in Geneva from May 22^nd to 28^th this year. However, due to political considerations, the World Health Organization (WHO) has not extended invitation to the Government of Taiwan, and the exclusion of Taiwan in WHA is severely jeopardizing global health.

 Since 2009 to 2016, Taiwan has been invited to the WHA as an observer and shared its remarkable experience in the field of healthcare as well as preventing the spread of various contagious diseases.  Moreover, Taiwan has utilized digital technologies, such as apps, web-based tools and other information technologies to combat the pandemic, and has enhanced cooperation and exchanges with international research teams to contribute to the global fight against COVID-19.

For the past two years, Taiwan’s antipandemic efforts, and its cooperation with partners worldwide, including Belize, have demonstrated that Taiwan is a force for good. It has also shown that Taiwan is willing and able to join the global efforts to combat the pandemic and tackle the myriad challenges of the postpandemic era. The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded the world that disease knows no borders. Taiwan is an indispensable partner on the path to global postpandemic recovery and hopes to work with WHO and nations worldwide to jointly overcome this crisis. As a result, Taiwan calls on every nation to support its bid to attend the 75^th WHA as an observer. Only the popularly elected government of Taiwan can represent 23.5 million people at the WHO and protect their right to health. Taiwan also urges our international friends and partners to continue to staunchly support our participation in the global health network to enable Taiwan to contribute even more in the postpandemic era.

Our voice has been echoed by the Government of Belize led by Hon. John Briceño, Prime Minister, Hon. Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness, Hon. Sen. Eamon Courtenay, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and many other members in the Cabinet and the National Assembly, who have shown their support to us, urging WHO to invite Taiwan to participate in the WHA. On behalf of the Government and people of Taiwan, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude and appreciation to all Taiwan’s precious friends in Belize for their staunch support. In addition, since the International Nurses Day is coming on May 12^th, I would also like to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to all frontine healthcare services providers in Belize for safeguarding our health.

In conclusion, we firmly believe that Taiwan’s involvement in the WHA can make the world a safer place to live. WHO must seek appropriate methods for Taiwan’s institutionalized and regular participation in all WHO meeting, mechanisms and activities. (E)

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