The Indo-Pacific Formosa Club’s backing of Taiwan’s bid for meaningful participation in the activities, mechanisms and meetings of the World Health Organization is welcomed by the government and people, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs May 10.
During IPFC’s inaugural online meeting, Prime Minister Kausea Natano of ally Tuvalu read a joint statement urging the international community to recognize Taiwan is an important and indispensable partner in the global public health system, the MOFA said.
The staunch support of Natano and 272 lawmakers from 17 countries comprising the IPFC in the run-up to the World Health Assembly reflects the reality that Taiwan Can Help strengthen global health and realize the WHO’s goal of Health For All, the ministry added.
The 75th edition of the WHA—the decision-making body of the WHO—is taking place May 22 to 28 in Geneva. It is the first physical gathering of the annual event attended by delegations from all WHO member states since the onset of COVID-19.
In a special recorded message for the meeting, MOFA Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu said the Formosa Club is founded on the shared values of freedom, democracy and respect for human rights. It is the ideal platform for exchanging related experiences and strengthening coordinated responses to global challenges, he added.
The backing of the Formosa Club for Taiwan and its participation in the global arena is deeply appreciated, Wu said, adding that the country will continue deepening its engagement throughout Indo-Pacific via platforms such as the Taiwan-U.S.-Japan Global Cooperation and Training Framework and New Southbound Policy.
Since its launch in June 2015, the GCTF has hosted over 40 workshops with experts, officials and representatives from around 100 countries and territories in response to emerging global challenges, including disaster relief, energy security, media literacy, public health and women’s empowerment.
The NSP is a key plank in the government’s national development strategy. It aims to enhance Taiwan’s agricultural, business, cultural, education, tourism and trade ties with the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, six South Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand. (DL-E)
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