Taiwan Excluded from WHA for 10th Consecutive Year; 26 Nations and EU Voice Support
Taiwan was not invited to the World Health Assembly (WHA) for the 10th consecutive year, but representatives from many allies and like-minded countries continued to speak up for Taiwan during the conference. Belize pointed out that excluding Taiwan from global health discussions weakens the collective ability to respond to shared health challenges. At this year's WHA, 11 allies, 15 like-minded countries, and the European Union have voiced their support for Taiwan.
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- 📰 Published: May 21, 2026 at 08:22
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Taiwan has not been invited to participate in the World Health Assembly (WHA) for the 10th consecutive year, but representatives from many allies and like-minded countries have continued to speak up for Taiwan during the conference. The ally Belize pointed out that excluding Taiwan from global health discussions weakens the collective ability to respond to shared health challenges.
This year's WHA has been held in Geneva since the 18th, with Taiwan still excluded. However, international support has not diminished. Over the past three days, 11 allies, 15 like-minded countries, and the European Union have used their two-minute speaking slots during the "General Discussion" plenary to voice support for Taiwan.
During the "two-on-two debate" on the 18th, Palau, an ally that spoke out for Taiwan, once again used this speaking opportunity to support Taiwan.
Palau's Vice President and Minister of Health, Raynold Oilouch, stated that Taiwan continues to be excluded from the World Health Organization (WHO) due to the misinterpretation of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1. He argued this continues to hinder the goal of a shared responsibility in reshaping global health and contradicts the purpose of what calls itself the "World" Health Assembly.
Oilouch said he continues to implore the WHA and all member states to allow Taiwan to join as an observer.
Kevin Bernard, Belize's Minister of Health and Wellness, stated that excluding Taiwan from global health discussions weakens the collective ability to address common health challenges. Therefore, Belize asserts that UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 does not preclude Taiwan's meaningful participation in the UN system and its specialized agencies, and Taiwan's expertise could benefit the global community.
Haiti's Minister of Public Health and Population, Bertrand Sinal, said that in a world facing significant public health challenges, all technical capabilities and experiences that contribute to the world, including Taiwan's, should be contributed to the collective effort. Taiwan as a WHO observer would be an act of fairness and justice.
Curtis Alden Martin, St. Kitts and Nevis' Junior Minister of Health, emphasized that Taiwan's exclusion is based on a misinterpretation of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1, neither of which addresses the issue of Taiwan's representation. This practice undermines professionalism, neutrality, and global health security.
He said that recognizing Taiwan's solid contributions to the world and allowing its meaningful participation is not only a matter of fairness but is also indispensable for strengthening collective preparedness.
In addition to allies, many representatives from like-minded countries also used their speaking time to support Taiwan.
Representatives from non-allied countries, including Luxembourg's Minister of Health and Social Security Martine Deprez, Lithuania's Minister of Health Marija Jakubauskienė, the UK's Permanent Representative in Geneva Kumar Iyer, the Czech Republic's Minister of Health Adam Vojtech, and Canada's Minister of Health Marjorie Michel, all expressed support or urged the WHO to invite Taiwan to participate as an observer.
Except for the Vatican, which holds observer status at the WHO, all other 11 allies have spoken out for Taiwan.
According to statistics from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as of the 20th, the like-minded countries that have spoken for Taiwan include Germany, Luxembourg, Japan, Australia, France, Lithuania, the United Kingdom, Latvia, the Czech Republic, Canada, Israel, Sweden, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Estonia, as well as the European Union.
This year's WHA has been held in Geneva since the 18th, with Taiwan still excluded. However, international support has not diminished. Over the past three days, 11 allies, 15 like-minded countries, and the European Union have used their two-minute speaking slots during the "General Discussion" plenary to voice support for Taiwan.
During the "two-on-two debate" on the 18th, Palau, an ally that spoke out for Taiwan, once again used this speaking opportunity to support Taiwan.
Palau's Vice President and Minister of Health, Raynold Oilouch, stated that Taiwan continues to be excluded from the World Health Organization (WHO) due to the misinterpretation of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1. He argued this continues to hinder the goal of a shared responsibility in reshaping global health and contradicts the purpose of what calls itself the "World" Health Assembly.
Oilouch said he continues to implore the WHA and all member states to allow Taiwan to join as an observer.
Kevin Bernard, Belize's Minister of Health and Wellness, stated that excluding Taiwan from global health discussions weakens the collective ability to address common health challenges. Therefore, Belize asserts that UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 does not preclude Taiwan's meaningful participation in the UN system and its specialized agencies, and Taiwan's expertise could benefit the global community.
Haiti's Minister of Public Health and Population, Bertrand Sinal, said that in a world facing significant public health challenges, all technical capabilities and experiences that contribute to the world, including Taiwan's, should be contributed to the collective effort. Taiwan as a WHO observer would be an act of fairness and justice.
Curtis Alden Martin, St. Kitts and Nevis' Junior Minister of Health, emphasized that Taiwan's exclusion is based on a misinterpretation of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1, neither of which addresses the issue of Taiwan's representation. This practice undermines professionalism, neutrality, and global health security.
He said that recognizing Taiwan's solid contributions to the world and allowing its meaningful participation is not only a matter of fairness but is also indispensable for strengthening collective preparedness.
In addition to allies, many representatives from like-minded countries also used their speaking time to support Taiwan.
Representatives from non-allied countries, including Luxembourg's Minister of Health and Social Security Martine Deprez, Lithuania's Minister of Health Marija Jakubauskienė, the UK's Permanent Representative in Geneva Kumar Iyer, the Czech Republic's Minister of Health Adam Vojtech, and Canada's Minister of Health Marjorie Michel, all expressed support or urged the WHO to invite Taiwan to participate as an observer.
Except for the Vatican, which holds observer status at the WHO, all other 11 allies have spoken out for Taiwan.
According to statistics from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as of the 20th, the like-minded countries that have spoken for Taiwan include Germany, Luxembourg, Japan, Australia, France, Lithuania, the United Kingdom, Latvia, the Czech Republic, Canada, Israel, Sweden, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Estonia, as well as the European Union.