Guatemala President Jimmy Morales (Photo taken from UN Youtube channel)

New York, Sept. 25 (CNA) Three countries with formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan voiced support Wednesday, the second day of the General Debate of the 74th general assembly of the United Nations, for Taiwan to be allowed to take part in U.N. activities.

Speaking at the week-long debate of the U.N. Assembly held in New York, leaders from Guatemala, eSwatini and Palau urged the world organization to allow Taiwan to participate in U.N. specialized bodies.

Guatemala President Jimmy Morales said that his country considers that all countries, in particular those that embrace democracy and the principles of the U.N., have the right to belong to the organization.

Guatemala President Jimmy Morales (Video taken from UN Youtube channel)

"We believe that the experience and the capabilities of the Republic of China (Taiwan) could contribute to strengthening multilateralism in the U.N. and its specialized agencies," he said.

It was the first time in three years that Morales had expressed support for Taiwan at the annual debate.

King Mswati III of eSwatini also expressed similar views, urging the assembly to not leave any country behind and not to deprive Taiwan a chance to play a pivotal role.

King Mswati III of eSwatini (Video taken from UN Youtube channel)

"We call on the U.N. once again to uphold the principle of universality and its multilateral efforts toward total inclusion and to allow Taiwan to participate in relevant extensions on a dignified and equal footing," he said.

Also voicing support for Taiwan, Palau President Thomas Esang Remengesau Jr. called for Taiwan's inclusion in the U.N. Assembly, in addition to related international bodies such as the World Health Assembly, the International Civil Aviation Organization, and the U.N. Framework on Climate Change.

Palau President Thomas Esang Remengesau Jr. (Video taken from UN Youtube channel)

"Our collective commitment to leave no country behind also demands that we end our exclusion of Taiwan and its 23 million people," he said.

Building on the principle of "leaving no one behind," in September 2015 the U.N. general assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Throughout its 15-year lifespan, the SDGs aim to end poverty, hunger and reduce inequality.

(By Ozzy Yin and William Yen)
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