The MOFA thanks the European Formosa Club for its May 15 letter to the World Health Organization in support of Taiwan’s inclusion in the activities, mechanisms and meetings of the international body. (MOFA)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs May 15 thanked the European Formosa Club, a group of international lawmakers, for its letter calling for Taiwan’s inclusion as an observer in the World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of the World Health Organization.

According to the letter, which was sent earlier the same day to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Taiwan has assisted countries around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic and made remarkable progress toward achieving universal health coverage. The members of the European Formosa Club asserted that Taiwan’s expertise, resources and dedication to public well-being make it an indispensable partner in tackling health challenges worldwide.

Despite such significant contributions, Taiwan is unable to participate in the drafting and negotiating of the WHO Pandemic Agreement and is denied proper access to timely public health information, the letter continued. Taiwan’s exclusion jeopardizes the welfare of its 23.5 million people and leaves a gap in the global health system that poses a risk to global health security, it added.

The letter urges the WHO to facilitate Taiwan’s return to observer status in the WHA and allow it to take part in the body’s meetings, activities and mechanisms.

The MOFA said that the letter reflects the strong consensus among members of the free world supporting Taiwan’s WHO and WHA participation, which is sincerely appreciated by the government and people.

The country will continue to expand its partnership with the European Parliament and EU member states’ legislative bodies to strengthen the resilience of the global public health system and promote the well-being of all, the ministry added.

Taiwan participated in annual WHA meetings as an observer from 2009 to 2016. The government is seeking a seat at the table for the 77th gathering running May 27 to June 1 in Geneva. (SFC-E)