A Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW)-led delegation headed by MOHW Minister Chiu Wen-ta had bilateral discussions with a record 58 nations and participated in 25 technical meetings at the 67th World Health Assembly (WHA), held in Geneva, Switzerland May 19-24, 2014, Premier Jiang Yi-huah stated today after an MOHW briefing on its activity at the conference.
By having one-on-one talks with representatives of 58 countries, the delegation from the ROC (Taiwan) surpassed its total from last year by 22 and set a new national record, said Jiang, who also noted cross-strait public health discussions continued at the event. Overall, the ROC's participation in the WHA was the deepest and broadest in its history, enhancing the nation's international influence and visibility in medical care and public health, the premier affirmed.
Jiang thanked the MOHW and related agencies for their hard work and contributions to ensure Taiwan's regular participation in WHA activities. He particularly expressed gratitude to Minister Chiu and the other delegation members as well as legislators, experts and Ministry of Foreign Affairs foreign missions for their related efforts.
"World Health Organization (WHO) participation is an important platform for our country to demonstrate expertise in medical care and public health as well as to win the recognition of the global community," said the premier. "I hope that all sectors of the nation will come together to continue supporting [Taiwan's participation in the WHO] so Taiwan can advance its health policy development and epidemic prevention systems in tandem with the rest of the world and improve its citizens' health and welfare."
For the past six years, the ROC (Taiwan) has had a different status in the WHA than it did previously, the MOHW pointed out. The major differences include the following:
- The MOHW Minister is now referred to at the event by his or her official governmental title.
- The ROC (Taiwan) is referred to as "Chinese Taipei," the same name it uses to participate in various other international organizations.
- Before the WHA commences, the nation may interact with the WHO directly about the event rather than having to go through a third party first.
- The ROC's seating was located on the first floor of Geneva's Palace of Nations, the same floor and building as all other nations at the conference.
- Taiwan has not only been permitted to speak during general assemblies and technical meetings but also has been enabled to hold bilateral talks with the top health officials of the United States, Japan and the European Union as well as other nations and organizations.