A full-page ad calling for Taiwan’s WHO participation is displayed in the Nov. 9 edition of The New York Times. (Courtesy of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York)

The support expressed in a video by U.S. Mission in Geneva Amb. Andrew Bremberg for Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly is deeply appreciated by the government and people, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nov. 10.

Describing Taiwan as a democratic role model, generous donator and force for good, Bremberg said Taiwan is a like-minded partner in addressing the world’s most serious challenges, adding the U.S. has long advocated for its meaningful participation in the WHA, the decision-making body of the World Health Organization.

Bremberg said the international community has much to learn from the Taiwan Model for managing coronavirus, which has proved successful in protecting the health of its 23 million people.
 
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus should invite Taiwan as an observer, as this was the status quo from 2009 to 2016, he said, adding that change in Taiwan’s democratically elected leadership is not an acceptable reason to block its participation.

Bremberg called on the WHO to include Taiwan health experts in its COVID-19 response plans without limitations, including in technical meetings and with full access to all relevant facilities and virtual spaces. This is the shared desire of a growing number of WHO member states, he said.

According to the MOFA, Bremberg’s message is the latest show of support from Washington for Taiwan’s bid to take part in the 73rd WHA, which kicked off Nov. 9 in Geneva. It follows a statement released three days earlier on the U.S. mission’s website and a tweet from its official Twitter account.

The government will continue to safeguard the health of Taiwan’s people while contributing to global disease prevention and economic recovery efforts, the ministry added. (SFC-E)