New and existing threats to global health require broad international cooperation. Starting May 27, the World Health Organization (WHO) will hold its annual World Health Assembly (WHA), where representatives of member states and health experts from around the world will promote global health and global health security. Discuss priorities for Taiwan participated as an observer at the WHA from 2009 to 2016 without objection, but has since been excluded from these meetings.
The United States strongly encourages the WHO to reinstate the invitation to Taiwan to participate as an observer at this year's WHA so that the world can once again benefit from Taiwan's expertise and experience. Taiwan's outstanding capabilities and approach will be of great value in informing WHA deliberations. Taiwan has demonstrated time and time again its ability and willingness to respond to global health crises and support the global health community.
We commend the WHO for taking steps over the past year to engage more meaningfully with Taiwan's technical work and improving lines of communication. However, Taiwan's continued exclusion from this prestigious global health forum undermines the comprehensive global public health cooperation and security that the world demands and urgently needs. Inviting Taiwan to visit the WHA is a vital step in affirming the WHO's goal of “good health for all.”
Our support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international forums is in line with our “One China” policy, which is based on the Taiwan Relations Act, three joint statements, and six guarantees.
