Official affirms dedication to joining WHO

This article was written by Shih Ying-ying and published by the Taiwan Journal on May 12, 2006. It reports that Taiwan will step up efforts to seek "meaningful participation" in activities organized by the World Health Organization. Meanwhile, Taiwan will also continue its bid to obtain observer status in the World Health Assembly.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "meaningful participation" is defined as taking part of the World Health Organization's Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network and all relevant activities run by the WHO's regional offices, particularly those organized by the West Pacific Office based in Manila.

In 2006, Taiwan's bid to join the World Health Organization has a special approach. The plan is to promote the concept that "quarantine efforts should know no borders". Such an approach has so far received support from the United States and Japan, as well as many countries in the European Union. The concept is particularly true since the looming threat of avian flu has put public health issues closer to the center of global security efforts.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs aims to continue its promotion of Taiwan's WHO bid in rational and practical ways. At present, thanks to the generous assistance of various non-governmental organizations, preparations are underway for President Chen Shui-bian to hold a video conference with European reporters and academics in the near future. In the conference, the president will explain why it is important for Taiwan to join the World Health Organization.