The World Health Assembly, the WHO’s decision-making body, is set to resume its annual session on November 9. The session had begun in May, but was suspended early during proceedings due the worsening of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Taiwan had previously attended World Health Assembly meetings as an observer. However, in recent years, it has been excluded from World Health Assembly meetings due to Chinese pressure.
French news outlet AFP has called on the WHO to let Taiwan return to the World Health Assembly. AFP says that excluding Taiwan from the assembly only serves to hamper the world’s efforts to contain COVID-19.
The World Medical Association has also voiced support for Taiwan’s inclusion in the assembly. Association head Dr. Frank Montgomery has written an open letter to WHO Secretary-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. In the letter, Montgomery says, “The COVID-19 pandemic is proof that cooperation for and with all health care systems in the world is necessary.” He said “we believe it is both cynical and counterproductive to continue excluding the health representatives from Taiwan from participating in the World Health Assembly.”