Participation at WHO Support for Taiwan’s Meaningful Participation in WHO
At the 15th Asia-Pacific Regional Conference, PSI affiliates adopted a resolution supporting Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the World Health Organization (WHO). The resolution emphasises that health threats know no borders and excluding Taiwan undermines global health cooperation, pandemic preparedness, and disease surveillance.
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Jyotsna Singh
RESOLUTION #7: SUPPORT FOR TAIWAN’S MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION IN THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)
Preamble
Recognising that global public health challenges require the broadest possible international cooperation and information-sharing;
Recalling that the World Health Organization (WHO) plays a critical role in coordinating international health responses, especially in times of public health emergencies such as pandemics and natural disasters;
Affirming that no one should be left behind in the global health system, and that equitable access to health information and systems is a fundamental human right;
Noting that Taiwan has developed a comprehensive public health system and has made significant contributions to global health, including pandemic prevention, humanitarian medical aid, and technical assistance;
Observing that despite its technical capacity and willingness to contribute, Taiwan remains excluded from WHO and its associated meetings, mechanisms, and activities;
Therefore, this Conference resolves:
To call upon Public Services International (PSI) and its affiliates to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the WHO, including participation as an observer in the World Health Assembly (WHA);
To encourage PSI to advocate within international forums for inclusive and depoliticized global health cooperation that enables all capable health systems - including Taiwan's - to contribute to global health governance;
To request PSI Asia Pacific Regional Executive Committee (APREC) to transmit this resolution to the PSI Executive Board and recommend that PSI include this issue in its broader global advocacy strategy for universal health access.
Rationale:
Taiwan's exclusion from WHO not only undermines the universality of global health systems but also creates gaps in pandemic preparedness and disease surveillance. Health threats know no borders, and all capable systems must be included in global collaboration. This resolution is not political - it is about protecting health and saving lives.
Submitted by Taiwan Federation of Medical Workers’ Unions (TFMU)