The MOFA expresses its thanks to Taiwan’s diplomatic allies for backing the country’s meaningful participation in the activities, meetings and mechanisms of the U.N. at the world body’s General Assembly in New York Sept. 18. (Staff photo/Chin Hung-hao)
 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed thanks Sept. 18 for the joint support of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies in backing the country’s meaningful participation in the activities, meetings and mechanisms of the U.N during the organization’s General Assembly in New York.
 
A total of 13 allies wrote to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to urge the global body to resolve the issue of the nation’s exclusion from U.N. specialized agencies. They also spotlighted Taiwan’s qualities as a reliable and trustworthy partner in defending the shared values of freedom, democracy and human rights.
 
The countries are Belize, Eswatini, Haiti, Honduras, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Paraguay, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tuvalu, the MOFA said.
 
In letters to Guterres, they called on the U.N. to formulate appropriate measures for allowing Taiwan passport holders access to the world body’s premises. The country’s omission runs counter to the principle of universality, they wrote, adding that the multilateral body should welcome the inclusion of an adherent to global rules-based order.
 
According to the MOFA, Taiwan will continue to work with its allies and like-minded partners to promote the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals. The ministry urged the global body to deliver equal treatment to the nation’s 23 million people and support its participation.
 
Several events spotlighting Taiwan’s many cooperative achievements are also underway on the sidelines of the assembly. These span key areas such as climate change, SDGs, universal health coverage and youth empowerment. (YCH-E)