The representative of the United States to the United Nations office in Geneva called for Taiwan’s participation in this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) on the eve of the opening of the annual conference.

Ambassador Sheba Crocker issued the call using the hashtag #TaiwanCanHelp on Twitter, highlighting Taiwan’s strong research capabilities in the field of health care and its ability to contribute to global health initiatives.

“On the eve of #WHA75, it was great to attend tonight’s event hosted by Taiwan. The WHA can benefit from Taiwan’s world-class expertise & research capabilities & #TaiwanCanHelp the WHO live up to its commitment to “Health for All,” Sheba tweeted.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) thanked Crocker on its official Twitter feed for recognizing that “Taiwan can help achieve the WHO’s “health for all” commitment.”

The WHA is the decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO). Its annual meeting begins Sunday in Geneva and runs until May 28, and Taiwan has not been invited to attend, despite the support of many countries and organizations.

Thirteen of Taiwan’s 14 diplomatic allies submitted a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate as an observer in the WHA, and it is expected to be addressed Sunday by the WHA’s general committee, according to Steven Solomon, the WHO’s principal legal officer.

Taiwan also sent a delegation led by Deputy Health Minister Lee Li-feng (???) that arrived in Geneva on Saturday to maintain a presence while the WHA is being held and hold meetings with other delegations outside the event’s confines.

On Saturday night, MOFA held a “Taiwan Night” reception to campaign for Taiwan’s inclusion in the WHO and its annual assembly.

Taiwan took part in WHA meetings from 2009 to 2016, but it has been excluded since 2017 due to pressure from China.

According to a MOFA tally, 71 governments, legislative bodies and parliamentary groups have backed Taiwan’s participation in WHO bodies this year.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel