Taiwan's WHA Participation Proposal Rejected; Allies Criticize Distortion of International Law

(CNA, Geneva, 18th) The World Health Organization today once again rejected a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate in the annual World Health Assembly. In the preceding debate, allied nations spoke out forcefully for Taiwan, emphasizing that excluding Taiwan from the WHO is unreasonable and that using UN Resolution 2758 to obstruct Taiwan's participation is a deliberate distortion of international law. The 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) opened today, with a "two-on-two debate" in the afternoon. Prior to this, allied nations in a closed-door meeting of the WHO's General Committee had requested that the proposal to invite Taiwan as an observer be included as a supplementary item on this year's agenda. In this year's "two-on-two debate," the opposing side was again China and Pakistan. The Chinese representative cited UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1 to block Taiwan's participation, while the Pakistani representative echoed China's stance, supporting the "One China Principle." The allied nations speaking for Taiwan this year were Palau and Paraguay. Raynold Oilouch, Vice President and Minister of Health of the Republic of Palau, stated that neither UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 nor WHA Resolution 25.1 mentions Taiwan, determines Taiwan's status, or authorizes any other government to represent Taiwan in the UN system or the WHO. Any attempt to invoke these resolutions to obstruct Taiwan's international participation is a deliberate distortion and misuse of international law. He said these actions not only lack legal basis but also harm global public health and undermine international cooperation. Only Taiwan's democratically elected government can represent its 23.5 million people; no other government has ever ruled Taiwan, which has always been self-governed by its people. Therefore, no government has the right to speak for Taiwan in international organizations. Oilouch emphasized that today's world faces emerging zoonotic diseases, evolving COVID-19 variants, and health risks from climate change, allowing no gaps in global health governance. Excluding any capable and responsible partner, including Taiwan, creates such a gap. He said that excluding Taiwan from the WHO is both unreasonable and harmful, as it weakens global disease surveillance systems, delays information sharing, and undermines the international community's collective preparedness. Taiwan has advanced public health expertise, a comprehensive healthcare system, and a long track record of contributing to international health cooperation. Taiwan's substantive participation would strengthen, not harm, the global health system. Jose Ortellado, Vice Minister of Health Management and Supervision of Paraguay's Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare, said that Taiwan has always been a responsible and effective partner in public health. This was particularly evident from 2009 to 2016, when Taiwan was invited to participate in the Assembly as an observer and its contributions were widely recognized. He noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan quickly established early detection and response mechanisms, strengthened epidemiological surveillance, ensured coordinated distribution of medical supplies, and shared its pandemic response experience and provided assistance to many countries. Furthermore, Taiwan has actively promoted the development of digital health systems and international medical cooperation, making concrete contributions to many regions of the world. Ortellado pointed out that Taiwan's exclusion from the WHO and WHA has created a gap in the global health prevention and response system. This situation not only restricts the timely exchange of epidemiological information but also hinders technical cooperation, which is particularly inappropriate at a time when the world needs more coordinated cooperation than ever. He stated that no global health system can be called truly inclusive and complete if even technical and scientific cooperation is obstructed. This is especially true when it means that 23.5 million people are excluded from the global health security system, and the international community cannot fully benefit from the experience and capabilities that Taiwan can offer to global public health. Ortellado said that the Paraguayan delegation reiterates its clear, firm, and unwavering position: Taiwan should be invited to participate in the World Health Assembly as an observer and to participate meaningfully in all meetings, mechanisms, and activities of the World Health Organization. After the four representatives spoke, the President of the Assembly ultimately ruled not to include the Taiwan issue on this year's agenda. (Editor: Chen Yen-chun) 1150519