We, the British Office Taipei; the Australian Office Taipei; the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei; the Czech Economic and Cultural Office; French Office in Taipei; the German Institute Taipei; the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association;  and the Lithuanian Trade Representative Office 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 78th session of the World Health Assembly commences in Geneva, Taiwan remains largely excluded from the world’s international health system. As COVID-19 and continued public health crises make plain, infectious diseases and health hazards do not respect borders. Global cooperation is required to keep the whole world safe.

Taiwan has shown itself to be a highly capable, engaged, and responsible member of the global health community and was invited to participate as an observer in WHA meetings from 2009 to 2016.  Taiwan’s distinct capabilities and methods – including its significant public health expertise, democratic governance, and advanced technology – bring considerable value that would inform the WHA’s deliberations. Taiwan’s isolation from the WHA, the preeminent global health forum, is entirely unjustified. This undermines inclusive global public health cooperation and security, which the world demands, and which is enshrined in the founding documents of the WHO. 

Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the fora and technical committees of the World Health Organization would bring benefits not just to people in Taiwan, but also around the world. Only by including Taiwan as an observer would the WHO be able to fully exemplify the Health Assembly’s commitment to “One World for Health.”