The government is committed to deepening Taiwan’s international participation through pursuing inclusion in global organizations and expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation programs in areas spanning health care, humanitarian aid and sustainable development, Vice President Chen Chien-jen said March 10.
Republic of China (Taiwan) diplomatic allies have voiced strong backing for the nation’s meaningful participation in U.N. agencies such as the International Civil Aviation Organization and the World Health Organization, Chen said. Taiwan is grateful for this support and will continue to promote a peaceful and prosperous global society, he added.
The vice president made the remarks at a conference advocating the country’s greater international participation organized by the Taiwan United Nations Alliance (TAIUNA) in Taipei City. Since its establishment in 2003, the nongovernmental group has sent a delegation to Geneva every May to convey Taiwan’s desire to attend the World Health Assembly—the decision-making body of the WHO.
According to Chen, participation in the WHA will not only safeguard the right to health of Taiwan’s 23 million people, but also enable the nation to contribute its considerable expertise in advancing medical care around the world.
Taiwan is a responsible member of the international community with a long history of working with allied and like-minded countries to foster regional peace and development, the vice president said.
Evidence of this can be seen in government efforts to transform Taiping Island in the South China Sea into a base for research as well as search and rescue operations; Taiwan’s full backing for U.N. sanctions on North Korea; and the country’s first Voluntary National Review on the implementation of the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals released last September, he added.
The report, unveiled by the Cabinet-level Environmental Protection Administration, outlines measures to advance the 17 goals in the U.N. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Chen said the review highlights the scope of Taiwan’s efforts to tackle issues such as climate change, inequality and poverty. The government continues to closely monitor the progress of related initiatives and is sharing its experiences with the international community, he added.
Adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in 2015, the SDGs are intended to end poverty, protect the environment and secure peace and prosperity around the world. The 17 goals comprise 169 targets across such fields as affordable and clean energy, gender equality, health and well-being and sustainable cities. (KWS-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw