Support for Taiwan’s meaningful engagement with the World Health Organization and participation as an observer in the World Health Assembly

We, the British Office Taipei, the American Institute in Taiwan, the Australian Office, Taipei, the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei, and the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, wish to reaffirm our support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the work of the World Health Organization and Taiwan’s participation as an observer in the World Health Assembly.

As this year’s 75th session of the World Health Assembly commences in Geneva, Taiwan remains largely excluded from the world’s international health system.  Taiwan’s experts are now working diligently to counter growing community COVID-19 transmission.  Excluding Taiwan from the work of the World Health Assembly hampers these efforts and compromises global health and safety.

Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the forums and technical committees of the World Health Organization would benefit both the 24 million people on Taiwan and the world.  Taiwan deserves acclaim for its accomplishments on public health security.  Taiwan’s early response to COVID-19, including its rigorous testing strategies, robust border control measures, and steadfast respect for human rights remain a public health success story and contributed to one of the lowest incidences of the disease in the world to date.  Taiwan shared personal protective equipment with countries and regions around the globe in the early stages of the pandemic.  Taiwan has also been developing COVID-19 vaccines and is eager to contribute to the global vaccine effort.  It recently pledged further financial and in-kind support at the Second Global COVID-19 Summit.

Through the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF), Taiwan shares its expertise in addressing shared global challenges including health issues.  The World Health Assembly would benefit from Taiwan’s world-class expertise, and Taiwan can help the World Health Organization live up to its commitment to “health for all.”