Guatemala restates support for Taiwan's observation role at the World Health Organization
Taiwan Seeks WHO Observer Status, Highlighting Healthcare and Democratic Values
Taiwan is actively pursuing observer status in the World Health Organization (WHO), leveraging its strengths in healthcare, education, and shared democratic values with allies to support its bid.
The small island nation, which makes up only approximately 0.03% of the global land and has a population of around 0.3%, has maintained diplomatic relations with Guatemala, Haiti, and the Marshall Islands for many years. These allies have expressed their support for Taiwan to become an observer in the WHO.
During a meeting at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei, Taiwan's Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu emphasized the need for Taiwan to no longer be an international orphan, stating that it should be able to take part in the UN and its specialized agencies. Attendees included the Guatemalan Ambassador to the UN, the Haitian Ambassador to the UN, and the Marshall Islands Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva.
Taiwan’s well-developed healthcare system, demonstrated by effective pandemic responses and robust health infrastructure, showcases its capability to contribute valuable expertise in global health crises. Its healthcare services are efficient, with all health checks being able to be completed on the same floor of a building in only two hours.
The delegation's visit aims to highlight Taiwan's efficiency in healthcare services, as well as to gain firsthand information about the country to enhance their arguments for Taiwan's participation in the UN and its specialized agencies.
In addition to healthcare, Taiwan's strong education system helps promote health awareness and research, underlining its role in advancing health knowledge. Taiwan contributes to 3% of industrial goods globally, demonstrating its economic strength and potential to contribute to global health initiatives.
Taiwan's government has made official visits to countries retaining formal diplomatic relations (such as Paraguay and Belize) to solidify support and has sought to maintain unofficial ties with major powers and regional partners in health and other sectors. Taiwan's democratic governance and alignment on values such as transparency, human rights, and rule of law resonate with many like-minded countries, strengthening diplomatic support for Taiwan's inclusion as an observer in the WHO.
The delegates from Guatemala, Haiti, and the Marshall Islands shared that they have shared universal values such as democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights with Taiwan. They also highlighted the potential for innovation in deepening cooperation in areas such as public care, agriculture, and women's empowerment.
In summary, Taiwan’s diplomatic efforts for WHO observer status rely on highlighting its advanced healthcare capabilities and educational infrastructure as practical assets to global health, while leveraging its political values to cultivate international backing amid geopolitical challenges posed by China’s opposition. This multi-faceted approach aims to incrementally increase Taiwan's participation in global health governance despite diplomatic constraints.
- Taiwan's pursuit of WHO observer status also includes showcasing its strength in politics, as the country's democratic governance and alignment with universal values such as transparency, human rights, and rule of law resonate with many, further solidifying diplomatic support.
- The general news regarding Taiwan's bid for WHO observer status not only focuses on healthcare but also extends to policy and legislation, as Taiwan seeks to advance health knowledge through its robust education system and demonstrates its economic strength, contributing significantly to global health initiatives.
