Haiti, Nauru speak up for Taiwan in U.N. debate

New York, Sept. 24 (CNA) The leaders of Haiti and Nauru on Thursday thanked Taiwan for its assistance in fighting COVID-19 and voiced general support for Taiwan on the third day of the general debate of the 75th U.N. General Assembly.

Following their speeches, five of Taiwan's 15 diplomatic allies have spoken up on Taiwan's behalf during the annual debate, which lasts until Sept. 29.

President Jovenel Moise of Haiti said in French that he would like to thank all partner countries that have helped his country manage the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the Republic of China (Taiwan).

"It is time for the world to recognize Taiwan's right to existence and give the country its rightful place in international forums, especially the United Nations," he said.

President Lionel Rouwen Aingimea of Nauru expressed his appreciation to "genuine friends" for their valuable support in responding and containing pandemic.

He named these "genuine friends" as Australia, Taiwan, New Zealand, India, Japan and the United States.

Aingimea reminded the U.N. member states that the U.N. Charter was drafted based on the principles of universality and equality and that it was not enough to proclaim the virtues of multilateralism if they failed to strengthen their commitment to upholding the core principles of the Charter.

"We therefore call on the United Nations to fulfill our commitments to the human family and ensure that the 23.5 million people of the Republic of China (Taiwan) enjoy the same rights as the peoples of other nations," he said.

"While the world grapples with the COVID pandemic, the people of Taiwan must not be left behind, nor should its exemplary response to the global pandemic be ignored," he said.

"Taiwan is an important partner in the world's response to this pandemic. More than ever today we need inclusivity and solidarity in responding to the global challenges we face."

Both leaders spoke through pre-recorded messages played during the general debate of the 75th U.N. General Assembly, which began on Tuesday.

None of Taiwan's diplomatic allies delivered addresses on the first day of the annual debate, while four -- Palau, Paraguay, the Marshall Islands and Honduras -- spoke on the second day of the session.

The leaders of Palau, Paraguay, and the Marshall Islands voiced their support for Taiwan in the speeches, but the president of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernandez Alvarado, did not mention Taiwan.

According to Taiwan's Foreign Ministry, however, Honduras wrote to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in August to express its support for Taiwan.

Three more of Taiwan's diplomatic allies -- the Vatican, Tuvalu and Eswatini -- are set to speak on Friday.

Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini of Eswatini already urged the U.N. to include Taiwan in its system during Monday's special high-level meeting.