This year’s World Health Assembly will open in Geneva on May 27, and Taiwan has yet to receive an invitation. The Foundation of Medical Professionals Alliance in Taiwan is calling on the government to take action to secure Taiwan’s participation. This year, one priority for the WHA is to finalize a “pandemic agreement.” Experts say it’s important that Taiwan be allowed to join the agreement, or at least to attend the signing as an observer. On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken released a statement, calling for Taiwan’s inclusion in the WHA as an observer.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has released a statement titled, “Taiwan as an Observer at the 77th World Health Assembly.” He said the U.S. strongly encourages the WHO to reinstate an invitation to Taiwan, so that the world may once again benefit from Taiwan’s expertise and experience.

This is the fourth time since 2021 that Blinken openly expressed support for Taiwan’s return to the WHA.

At a congressional hearing on Tuesday, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink said the U.S. supports Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the WHA.

Daniel Kritenbrink
US assistant secretary of state
Our position has always been: We support Taiwan’s participation in international bodies where statehood is not a requirement. We support their meaningful participation in those entities that do require statehood. Taiwan is a very capable health partner. They have been observers in the WHA before and they deserve to be so again.

Lin Shih-chia
Foundation of Medical Professionals Alliance in Taiwan
China has never ceased its oppression. In particular, it’s continued to use U.N. Resolution 2758 to suppress Taiwan. Yesterday we all saw the statement from the U.S. state department – their various agencies have all stated that U.N. Resolution 2758 does not equate to acceptance of the “one China” principle. I think that the U.S.’ statement at this time is very significant.

At this year’s WHA, a key agenda item will be to finalize a “pandemic accord.” According to the Foundation of Medical Professionals Alliance in Taiwan, the government should urge likeminded nations and allies to advocate for Taiwan’s inclusion in the pandemic accord, by allowing “economies/health entities” to sign. If that’s not possible, the government should at least try to secure observer status at the signing.

Wu Shu-min
Foundation of Medical Professionals Alliance in Taiwan
This agreement would have a huge impact on Taiwan. The contents discuss the sharing of technology, knowledge and resources.

Chen Hsiu-hsi
NTU College of Public Health
Taiwan has long been a global model for pandemic response. As an economic entity, Taiwan can more easily promote the WHO’s interests and share its knowledge and technology.

The agreement proposes the transfer of technology and know-how, the sharing of interests and information, and the establishment of a global supply chain and logistics network. Experts say Taiwan’s exclusion could put the health of its 23 million people at risk, and leave a gap in the manufacturing, shipping, and pandemic preparedness landscape of the Asia Pacific.

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