Geneva: Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung stated on Sunday that Taiwan's ongoing exclusion from the World Health Assembly (WHA) is not only a global health concern but also a diplomatic issue. This is the reason medical experts from around the world participate in events organized by Taiwan in Geneva each year to coincide with the WHA.
According to Focus Taiwan, Lin, while speaking to reporters in Geneva, emphasized that Taiwan has been unable to attend the annual WHA for the 10th consecutive year, largely due to diplomatic pressure from China. Lin, who is the first Taiwanese foreign minister to attend these events in Geneva, highlighted that the issue extends beyond global health concerns to encompass diplomatic challenges as well.
Taiwan's absence from the World Health Organization's (WHO) decision-making body is seen as "unfair" and "a loss for the world," Lin noted, contrasting Taiwan's and China's responses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although Taiwan aims to return to the WHA, its simultaneous events in Geneva are part of efforts to enhance its global visibility, Lin added.
Every year, health and medical experts from various countries gather in Geneva for the WHA and also attend Taiwan's events, as they seek to support Taiwan and amplify its voice in global health discussions, Lin explained. The 79th WHA, scheduled for May 18-23 in Geneva, will bring together representatives from WHO member states to establish global health policies and priorities.
For the 10th year in a row, Taiwan has not been invited to participate, with China recently announcing its decision against the "Taiwan region" attending this year's WHA. Taiwan last attended the WHA in 2016 as an observer, during a period of improved relations with Beijing. Since then, Taiwan has organized events in Geneva to coincide with the WHA, which is held at the WHO's headquarters.
This year marks the first occasion that a Taiwanese foreign minister has attended these events alongside the country's health minister. Jointly organized by Taiwan's foreign affairs and health ministries, the events feature an exhibition showcasing Taiwan's smart healthcare innovations and overseas medical aid programs.
On Sunday, Lin and Health Minister Shih Chung-liang visited the Taiwan Smart Medical and HealthTech Expo, which is being held at a Geneva hotel through Tuesday. The exhibition includes several leading Taiwanese medical centers and 30 companies specializing in smart healthcare technologies. A special section highlights Taiwan's humanitarian and healthcare assistance to its diplomatic allies and friendly countries, organized by TaiwanICDF, the nation's primary foreign aid agency.
At the expo, Lin and Shih observed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between TaiwanICDF and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta to jointly provide psychological support and rehabilitation services for Ukrainian amputees affected by the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.