9 Countries' Missions in Taiwan Jointly Support Taiwan, State 'No Justification' for WHA Exclusion

(CNA, Taipei, May 21, by reporter Yang Yao-ju) As the WHA convenes in Geneva, Switzerland, Taiwan remains uninvited. The representative offices of the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Lithuania, New Zealand, and Poland in Taiwan issued a joint press release today, expressing support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in the WHO and emphasizing that there is no justification for excluding Taiwan from the WHA. The British Office Taipei, Australian Office, Canadian Trade Office in Taipei, French Office in Taipei, German Institute Taipei, Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, Lithuanian Trade Representative Office, New Zealand Commerce and Industry Office, and the Polish Office in Taipei today issued a joint press release reiterating their support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) and its participation as an observer in the World Health Assembly (WHA). The joint press release noted that as the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) convenes in Geneva this year, Taiwan remains excluded from the global international health system. Infectious diseases and public health risks know no borders and require global cooperation to ensure the safety of all humanity. As a member of the global health community, Taiwan is highly capable, actively engaged, and responsible, and was invited to participate as an observer in the WHA from 2009 to 2016. The joint press release stated that Taiwan's outstanding capabilities and approaches, including its excellent public health expertise, democratic governance, and advanced technology, could bring great benefits to the discussions at the WHA. There is no justification for Taiwan's exclusion from the WHA, the world's most important public health forum. This undermines the spirit of inclusive global public health cooperation and security that the world urgently needs and is enshrined in the WHO's founding documents. The joint press release emphasized that Taiwan's meaningful participation in the WHO's forums and technical committees would not only benefit the people of Taiwan but also the entire world. Only by including Taiwan as an observer can the WHO truly embody the commitment of the WHA's theme, "Reshaping Global Health: A Shared Responsibility." (Editor: Su Chih-tsung) 1150521