Taiwan’s diplomatic allies Belize and Haiti voiced support for the nation’s participation at the World Health Assembly (WHA) on Tuesday during a WHA special session, following earlier comments by Nauru.
World Health Organization (WHO) member states gathered for the WHA special session from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 to consider developing a WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic preparedness and response.
During the second day of the session, Belize said “Taiwan’s participation in this global health organization has been excluded for political reasons,” which could undermine global health cooperation relating to epidemic prevention.
Belizean Minister of Health and Wellness Michel Chebat noted Taiwan’s epidemic prevention performance, adding that the nation has played a crucial role in global monitoring and early warning systems of infectious diseases and is an indispensable part of the global health system.
With viruses knowing no borders, excluding Taiwan from the WHA is not good for disease prevention and building a better world, Chebat noted, adding
Meanwhile, while discussing the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Haitian Minister of Health Alex Larsen said it has made people realize that “no one is safe, until everyone is safe.”
He also said it was regretful Taiwan was unable to attend the meeting.
Their remarks came after those of Nauruan President Lionel Rouwen Aingimea, who spoke in support of Taiwan’s participation at the WHA, the decision-making body of WHO, during the opening of the WHA special session on Monday.
Aingimea said that the WHO must become more diverse and tolerant to ensure enhanced intergovernmental cooperation and include not only member states but also all parties concerned.
He added that if the Republic of China (Taiwan) among others continues to be ignored by the world health agency, this will create gaps in the public health emergency response framework.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel