•WHAT IS UN
The United Nations (UN) is currently the largest and most representative intergovernmental international organization in the world, established in 1945 with 193 member states. The background of the UN's establishment lies in the aftermath of World War II, where the devastation caused by the war was too immense for humanity. Countries aimed to effectively mediate between each other, avoiding conflicts through negotiation and dialogue, while also reformulating a more equitable international order compared to pre-war times, where all member states, regardless of size, have a voice. Within the framework of the UN, besides the General Assembly, Secretariat, International Court of Justice, and Security Council, there are numerous specialized agencies established to address common international issues. For instance, the World Health Organization handles disease prevention and control, the UN Refugee Agency deals with humanitarian aid, UNESCO is responsible for preserving cultural heritage, and the International Monetary Fund assists financially troubled nations. In essence, the UN functions as a large platform, establishing various mechanisms for member states to communicate, coordinate on different issues, and provide timely international assistance as needed.
•WHAT BENEFITS CAN TAIWAN GAIN FROM JOINING THE UN
Currently, apart from political entities similar to Taiwan's situation, most countries have already joined the United Nations as members or observers. Due to Taiwan's prolonged absence from the UN system, it has missed out on direct participation in many international affairs, leading to various losses and obstacles. For example, during the SARS outbreak in 2003, Taiwan, not being a member of the World Health Organization (WHO), couldn't access first-hand international information promptly, coupled with a lack of experience in dealing with large-scale infectious diseases, resulting in numerous innocent lives lost. In terms of civil aviation, Taiwan's inability to join the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) means it can't immediately access information regarding air rights allocation or changes, and other countries can't directly obtain relevant information about Taiwan's airspace through the ICAO. Moreover, in crime prevention and control, Taiwan's inability to participate in Interpol and the United Nations Police Center makes it difficult to conduct international criminal cooperation through data sharing for extradition and repatriation. Taiwanese individuals often face the risk of being forcibly sent to Beijing and subjected to inhumane treatment, even being treated as a province of China, which places Taiwan in various unfavorable and challenging situations internationally.
Therefore, for Taiwan, joining the United Nations is a matter of urgent necessity. Without participation in the UN system, or even obtaining observer status, Taiwan will continue to be disconnected from the world, relying solely on diplomatic allies or a few friendly countries to indirectly obtain second or third-hand information. Consequently, this will pose multiple obstacles in crime prevention, disease control, and other issues, making it difficult for Taiwan's voice to be heard internationally, which is a significant loss for the land and its people, as well as for people elsewhere in the world.
•HOW CAN WE HELP TAIWAN
In the current international situation, the reason for Taiwan's prolonged exclusion lies solely in the obstruction from China. China continually claims Taiwan as its part internationally, using its advantageous position to restrict Taiwan's remaining international space. Its status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council further compels the UN Secretariat to erroneously cite Resolution 2758 of the UN General Assembly as a basis for denying Taiwan's membership. However, Resolution 2758 only addresses the issue of China's representation and does not mention Taiwan's sovereignty or membership eligibility. Considering China's current influence in the international arena, Taiwan's aspiration to join the United Nations is undeniably a significant challenge. Nonetheless, we have never given up even a glimmer of hope. Over the years, the government has continuously advocated for Taiwan within the UN system through diplomatic allies and like-minded friendly countries, while civil society has tirelessly initiated advocacy actions worldwide, demonstrating Taiwan's determination to become a member of the international community.
As a long-standing advocacy-based civil society organization dedicated to promoting UN membership, TAIUNA has spared no effort in organizing "Taiwan Join the UN Campaigns," actively bringing Taiwan's voice to the UN headquarters in New York. We believe that even if our goals cannot be achieved in the short term, every advocacy effort holds value in raising awareness of the challenges Taiwan faces. As long as we refuse to abandon hope and persistently engage in international advocacy and cooperation, Taiwan will inevitably become a true member of the global community one day.
