The World Health Organization (WHO) is set to host its annual World Health Assembly (WHA) starting May 27. During this meeting, Member State delegates and health experts will come together to discuss global health priorities. Taiwan has been an observer at these meetings from 2009 to 2016 but has since been excluded. The United States is calling on the WHO to reinstate an invitation for Taiwan to participate as an observer at this year’s WHA, highlighting its expertise and experience in global health.
Taiwan has demonstrated a willingness to support global health crises and contribute to the global health community. Its exclusion from the WHA is a missed opportunity for valuable contributions that could have improved public health cooperation and security worldwide.
The WHO has taken steps to engage Taiwan in its technical work over the past year, but its continued exclusion undermines global public health cooperation and security. Inviting Taiwan to observe the WHA would be a crucial step towards achieving the WHO’s goal of “Health for All.”
The support for Taiwan’s participation in international forums aligns with the United States’ one China policy, which is guided by established agreements and assurances. However, Taiwan’s exclusion from global health discussions not only limits valuable contributions but also goes against the inclusive nature of global health cooperation that is urgently needed in the face of new and existing threats to global health.
In conclusion, inviting Taiwan to observe the WHA would bring significant benefits to global public health cooperation and security. It would also help achieve the WHO’s goal of “Health for All” by allowing Taiwan’s expertise and experience in global health to be recognized and utilized.