Health Minister Hsueh Jui-yuan (薛瑞元) stated at the Legislature on Thursday growing support for Taiwan’s participation in the 77th World Health Assembly (WHA), which is set to convene on May 27th in Geneva, Switzerland. However, Taiwan has yet to receive an invitation.
The Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Michele Sison recently met with Taiwan’s representative in Geneva, Nicole Su (蘇瑩君), reaffirming the U.S.’s support for Taiwan's participation in international organizations and the WHA. Last year, 22 countries supported the U.S. stance on this matter, a number that is expected to increase this year.
Hsueh expressed determination to continue seeking observer status and thanked the U.S. for supporting Taiwan's involvement in a legislative committee meeting. He also noted the increasing support of countries sharing the same philosophy, as a result of Taiwan's efforts.
Taiwan typically presents proposals through its diplomatic allies at the WHA, nearly all of which are shared U.S. allies. Minister Hsueh mentioned Taiwan's past participation from 2009 to 2016 as an observer under the name "Chinese Taipei" indicating a precedent to follow, emphasizing that the government aims to secure participation.
