Allies call for Taiwan's inclusion in UN climate talks ahead of COP30

Taipei, Nov. 10 (CNA) Representatives from diplomatic allies Eswatini, Palau, the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and St. Kitts and Nevis called for an end to Taiwan's exclusion from United Nations climate negotiations, ahead of the 30th Conference of Parties in Belém, Brazil.

On Friday, President of Palau Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. urged attendees to "reaffirm our defining principle -- leaving no one behind."

"Despite strong climate ambitions, Taiwan continues to be excluded from this process. Every capable partner, including Taiwan, must have a seat at the table," he added.

Marshall Islands Foreign Minister Kalani Kaneko emphasized that "every nation needs to be part of the solution" to climate change.

"The Marshall Islands has long called for Taiwan to be part of the UNFCCC [United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change] process, and I repeat that call again today. When nations' voices are silenced, democracy dies," Kaneko said.

Tuvaluan Environment Minister Maina Vakafua Talia said that Taiwan needed to be "in the equation."

St. Kitts and Nevis Minister of Environment Joyelle Clarke, meanwhile, noted Taiwan's help in her country's grid modernization.

The previous day, Eswatini's Prime Minister Russell Dlamini underlined the need to include "all members of the global community" to "confront what has rightly been called one of the greatest challenges humanity will ever face."

"Especially those who remain excluded from full participation in the process, such as Taiwan," Dlamini said.

In a news release Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) thanked its diplomatic allies for their support.

"As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan continues to work with its diplomatic allies and other like-minded countries to promote concrete climate action," it added.

The 2025 UNFCCC Conference of Parties, known as COP30, takes place from Nov. 10 to 21.

The conference has been held annually since the first U.N. climate agreement was reached in 1992. It is intended to be a platform for governments to discuss and agree on policies to limit global temperature rises and adapt to impacts associated with climate change.

Taiwan, officially called the Republic of China, left the U.N. in 1971, when the People's Republic of China took its place. It has since been excluded from the U.N.'s special agencies, including the UNFCCC.

Since 1995, Taiwanese officials have participated in the annual conference through the government-funded Industrial Technology Research Institute.