Taiwan's Relationship with the World Health Assembly

That the Parliament acknowledges that the World Health Assembly (WHA) takes place on 24 May 2021 as the world is still impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic a year after its emergence; notes with regret that Taiwan has again not been invited to the WHA as an observer despite its willingness and capability to share disease preventing experience and jointly tackle the pandemic with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other countries; considers that the G-7 joint communique on 5 May “supports Taiwan’s meaningful participation in WHO forums and the WHA...and that the International community should be able to benefit from the experience of all partners, including Taiwan’s successful contribution to the tackling of the COVID-19 pandemic”; understands that, despite Taiwan’s outstanding story in containing the spread of the virus for more than a year, Taiwan is now facing a sudden increase in domestic cases, which once again is a solemn reminder that disease respects no borders and does not recognise geopolitics, class or any social division; considers that, at this time of unprecedented challenge of new COVID-19 surges, it is urgent and crucial to leave no one behind in the global public health system, and believes that it is vital for WHO to invite Taiwan to attend WHA as an observer, and to seek an appropriate avenue for institutionalised and comprehensive participation by Taiwan in related meetings, mechanisms and activities in the global health network.