Sixteen Republic of China (Taiwan) diplomatic allies called for the nation’s greater participation in U.N. specialized agencies at the General Assembly Sept. 20 to 26 in New York City, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Heads of state and government as well as diplomatic representatives from 13 allies, namely Belize, Haiti, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Nicaragua, Palau, Paraguay, the Solomon Islands, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Tuvalu and Swaziland, spoke at the 71st session of the assembly in support of Taiwan’s increased engagement in U.N. bodies and activities.
The countries urged the U.N. and its member states to facilitate meaningful participation for Taiwan in agencies such as the International Civil Aviation Organization, U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change and World Health Organization. They also praised Taiwan’s democracy and commitment to promoting regional peace and stability, and highlighted its efforts to support the organization’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
In addition, 16 allies wrote to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in support of Taiwan’s participation in specialized agencies. Two, Paraguay and Nicaragua, sent individual letters to the head of the global body, while the other 14, including Burkina Faso, El Salvador and Sao Tome and Principe, jointly authored a message conveying their sentiments on the matter.
While expressing its appreciation to the 16 diplomatic allies, the MOFA emphasized that Taiwan is “a proactive communicator for peace,” adding the nation is willing and able to make significant contributions in tackling major global issues that are certain to have a direct influence on the welfare of all humankind.
Taiwan is actively working to support the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals. On Sept. 15, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, in cooperation with the U.N. delegations from Belize and Palau as well as the Academic Council on the United Nations System, sponsored an international workshop titled “Engaging and Implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Examples from Taiwan and Others” in the U.S. city. The forum highlighted Taiwan’s efforts to support the SDGs through its overseas missions and international cooperation projects. (WF-E)
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