Taiwan's determination to join WHO, WHA unwavering: Lai

Taipei, May 24 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said on Saturday that Taiwan's determination to join the World Health Organization (WHO) and participate in the World Health Assembly (WHA), the WHO's decision-making body, is unwavering, despite cuts to the central government budget and the U.S. intention to withdraw from the organization.

Addressing a reception for the WHA Action Team sent to Geneva to engage in international public health affairs, Lai said Taiwan's determination to join the WHO and participate in the WHA as an observer aims to protect the health rights of its 23 million citizens and promote global welfare.

"Such a goal is unwavering," Lai said. "Let's work hard to achieve it."

While participation in the WHO and WHA is in the interest of the Taiwanese people, Lai said the country would also be glad to contribute to public health around the world.

Although Taiwan was not invited to this year's WHA's annual assembly from May 19-27, Taiwan's WHA Action Team, led by Minister of Health and Welfare Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源), actively sought support from other countries for Taiwan's bid, and the team's efforts were well recognized, Lai said.

The size of the WHA Action Team was reduced by one-third due to a smaller budget, but Lai said the team still held more than 40 bilateral meetings, international forums, and news conferences to boost Taiwan's international visibility.

In addition, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) also signed memorandum of understanding with Geneva University Hospitals and the International Hospital Federation to demonstrate Taiwan's determination to join the WHO.

Since 1972, Taiwan has been shut out from the WHA due to pressure from Beijing, except from 2009-2015 when it was accepted as an observer under the name "Chinese Taipei" when relations with China were warmer under the then-Kuomintang government.

Taipei also attended in 2016, just days after former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) of the Democratic Progressive Party took office, but has not participated since.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), 11 of Taiwan's diplomatic allies supported Taipei's bid to join the WHA during the meeting. Another 15 like-minded countries, including Japan, the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Germany, New Zealand, and Israel, also Voiced support for Taiwan's participation.

Chiu said that although Washington, which plans to leave the WHO in January 2026, did not send a delegation to this year's WHA assembly, U.S. officials in Geneva still paid close attention to Taiwan's bid, signaling their support for Taiwan remains unchanged.

MOFA also hosted a smart healthcare application conference on the sidelines of the WHA assembly for the first time, where Taiwanese firms including Acer Medical and Quanta Computer showcased their innovations in Geneva.

During the assembly, several international media outlets published in-depth articles written by the MOHW, as well as commentary and analysis submitted by Taiwan's representative offices and experts in support of Taiwan's bid, according to MOFA.

MOFA said it will continue working with the MOHW and partnering with the domestic private sector to highlight Taiwan's healthcare contributions and garner broader international support.

The Republic of China (Taiwan) was expelled from the WHO in 1972 after losing its seat in the United Nations the previous year, when the U.N. switched recognition to the People's Republic of China.