The government of Taiwan has urged the WHO to invite it to attend the 2017 WHA and calls on the international community to support its participation for the collective benefit of all.
In 2009, on the back of significant international support, the WHO invited Taiwan to attend the 62nd WHA as an observer. Since then, Taiwan’s participation in WHA and WHO technical meetings has improved disease control in Taiwan and around the world, with Taiwan committed to fulfilling the WHO’s vision through assisting other countries facing health challenges.
With the WHA only weeks away, Taiwan has not received its invitation this year. However, it continues to make every effort to participate in the WHO, including the Health Emergencies Programme. The government of Taiwan affirms its absence from the WHO would create a serious fissure in the global health system and create significant risks, which include hindering its ability to contain infectious diseases and compromising global food safety.
Taiwan and the WHO are mutually dependent, relying on each other to build a robust global health system. Taiwan’s participation over the past eight years has enabled it to share experiences with other countries, to receive disease prevention information promptly, and to contribute to efforts to enhance international health. Therefore the government of Taiwan is adamant its absence would be a serious setback, and that its continued participation in the WHA will serve the interests of all parties concerned: Taiwan, the WHO, and the entire international community.
