A Formosa Club letter endorsed by more than 1,500 lawmakers from 34 countries urging Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, to regularize Taiwan’s participation in the WHO is sincerely appreciated by the government and people, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs May 19.
Signed by the club’s co-chairs and members of the European Parliament, national parliaments across Europe and of Canada, the letter commends the Taiwan Model as an exemplar in combating coronavirus. It additionally highlights how Taiwan Can Help realize the WHO’s goal of Health for All by sharing expertise and resources.
The letter also urges Tedros to invite Taiwan to participate as an observer in the 75th World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of the WHO. Taking place May 22 to 28 in Geneva, WHA75 is the first physical gathering of the annual event attended by delegations from all WHO member states since the onset of COVID-19.
According to the letter, health issues should not be politicized and excluding Taiwan from WHO proceedings undermines the fundamental human rights of its people, as well as deprives the global community of knowledge and experience the country could share.
The MOFA said the letter reflects a groundswell of international support for Taiwan’s inclusion in the activities, mechanisms and meetings of the WHO. It further echoes public support by the executive branches, parliaments and civic organizations of numerous EU member states and other European countries calling on the specialized agency to recognize Taiwan’s health care credentials in fulfilling the U.N.’s promise to Leave No One Behind, the ministry added.
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said: “Over 1,500 parliamentarians from 30+ countries can't be wrong! Our thanks to @_TheFormosaClub for rallying principled friends to #Taiwan’s @WHO cause. @DrTedros must put politics aside & face reality: #TaiwanCanHelp realize #HealthForAll & warrants a seat at the #WHA75 table.” (DL-E)
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