Today (22nd of May) Nerikes Allehanda published an opinion article (Taiwan har också rätt att delta i det globala hälsoarbetet) written by Ambassador Liao regarding Taiwan´s participation in the current WHA meeting in Geneva. Below is the English translation.
The upcoming 72st World Health Assembly (WHA) will be held from May 22 to 28, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. While Taiwan was not invited to attend the WHA either in 2017 or 2018 as an observer, it has sought to participate in technical meetings, mechanisms, and activities of the WHA and World Health Organization (WHO) for many years. To this end, Taiwan has won the understanding and support of many nations, which have taken concrete action backing Taiwan.
WHO needs Taiwan to build a robust global health system, and Taiwan needs the WHO to safeguard Taiwanese basic needs and human rights. All over the world, border and immigration policies are becoming less restrictive. This has increased the possibility of cross-border disease transmission. A concerted, global effort is the only way to effectively ensure the health and welfare of people around the world. Taiwan is located at a strategic node in the Indo-Pacific. It has a particularly high need for disease prevention, as people and goods are constantly entering and leaving Taiwan. However, due to political pressure from China, Taiwan is excluded from full participation in WHO technical meetings, mechanisms and activities.
In one recent example, Taiwan applied on January 3, 2019 to attend WHO Consultation and Information Meeting on the Composition of Influenza Virus Vaccines for Use in the 2019-20 Northern Hemisphere Influenza Season held in Beijing in February. Technical matters were used as an excuse to obstruct participation by Taiwan´s delegation; WHO delayed in sending an invitation to Taiwan until the day before the event’s start.
Taiwan has transformed itself from a recipient of foreign aid to a provider of international humanitarian assistance. It has actively helped many nations in need. Taiwan’s experience can serve as reference to many other nations. Bringing Taiwan into the international disease prevention system will benefit many nations, and help WHO be more effective in its disease prevention efforts.
When the Ebola virus reared its ugly head once again in 2018, Taiwan quickly announced a donation of US$1 million to WHO to help in the fight against the disease. This donation was, unfortunately, forced to be suspended due to politically driven interference. However, through this, Taiwan has shown an unwavering determination to participate in international medical cooperation. Taiwan will not give in to political sabotage, and will continue to seek international affirmation of its efforts.
On behalf of the government and people of Taiwan, I would like to ask for your kind support in order to facilitate Taiwan’s participation in this year’s WHA as well as WHO technical meetings. Taiwan wants to participate in a meaningful manner and would like to further strengthen the country´s role in the development of the international health agendas. Closing the gap between the WHO and Taiwan would be the right step towards benefitting the development of global public health.
Daniel T.C. Liao,
Representative of Taipei Mission in Sweden
(Taiwan´s representative office in Sweden)
