The 77th World Health Assembly (WHA) will kick off in Geneva on May 27 and Taiwanese groups are set to host a series of events on the sidelines from May 26 to 28. Taiwan has not received an official invitation to attend the WHA as an observer since 2016.
Each year, the Taiwanese government organizes delegations to advocate for Taiwan's participation in the WHA. Taiwanese businesses, expatriates, medical professionals, and civil society groups also make their presence felt outside the conference venue.
The Swiss Taiwan Chamber of Commerce is organizing Taiwanese groups to gather and make speeches at the annual pre-WHA Walk the Talk Geneva event on May 26. WHA Walk the Talk is an annual initiative organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote physical activity and healthy lifestyles. The event includes a walk or run, as well as speeches, presentations, and activities related to public health and physical fitness.
On May 28, the World Taiwan Foundation alongside the Foundation of Medical Professionals Alliance in Taiwan, the Taiwan Medical Association, and the World Medical Association will host an international forum. The forum will address the challenges in science and public health, global health and geopolitics, and universal healthcare coverage.
Delegates from Taiwan were allowed to attend the WHA as non-voting observers between 2009 and 2016, but since 2017 Taiwan no longer receives official invitations. In 2023, the World Health Organization cited limited space due to renovations at the Palais des Nations as reasons for not opening up observer seats. This year, ongoing renovations and limited space at the Palais des Nations suggest that gaining observer status might remain challenging for Taiwan.