THE CONCEPT OF HEALTH KNOWS NO BORDERS.

Since 2017, Taiwan has not been invited to attend the World Health Assembly (WHA) as an observer by the Secretariat of the World Health Organization (WHO). This exclusion deprives Taiwan, which already cannot participate in WHO operations, of any opportunity to engage in international medical and health exchanges. In response, in addition to the government's annual efforts to break through this blockade through bilateral ministerial meetings, civil society organizes a "WHO Outreach Group" each year to advocate for Taiwan's participation in the WHO at the location of the WHA in Geneva, Switzerland. Participants include medical groups, overseas compatriots, legislators, and various sectors of society. Over the years, they have used methods such as participating in marches, organizing exhibitions, and protesting outside Chinese embassies to convey the message "Taiwan can help" to the world.

Q&A

Q：Why Taiwan has been absented WHA for years？

A：Taiwan was invited by the WHO Secretariat from 2009 to 2016, under the name "Chinese Taipei", to attend the WHA meetings as an "observer". However, after a change in government in 2016, China pressured the WHO Secretariat to refuse invitations to the new government to participate in the WHA, and this pressure continues to this day. Despite Taiwan's efforts, through its diplomatic allies and friendly countries such as the United States, Japan, and Europe, to propose invitations for Taiwan to participate as an observer, China has repeatedly blocked these efforts with its international influence. As a result, the WHO Secretariat has not changed its stance, leaving Taiwan unable to participate in the WHA meetings.