BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - WITH the Republic of China (Taiwan) still seeking to find a seat on the global stage, the United States of America continues to champion the cause for its ally, as does St. Kitts and Nevis.
The United States is calling for Taiwan to be included in the 76th World Health Assembly (WHA) which recognizes and brings together the 194 independent states that fall under the World Health Organization (WHO).
This year’s meeting runs from May 21-31 in Geneva, and the United Nations Foundation reminded that the meeting would see the WHO celebrating its 75th anniversary where there would be renewed calls for the Assembly to be strengthened to meet the growing challenges facing the world.
It is for that reason the US Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados is continuing with its Government's mantra of pushing for Taiwan to be included in the decision-making process of health and general administrative work.
In a post on its social media page, the Embassy said, “Today's unprecedented health threats demand close international cooperation. We strongly advocate for the World Health Organization (WHO) to invite Taiwan, as it has in the past, to participate as an observer at #WHA76 and lend its expertise to these solution-seeking discussions. #TaiwanCanHelp”.
There has been a concerted effort in recent years to push for the Asian-nation to be included in decision-making because of its growing expertise in the areas of health, technology and its assistance to human development in its ally countries.
Taiwan and St. Kitts-Nevis will celebrate 40 years of partnership, with the former assisting with the overall development of the Federation.
Just yesterday (May 20), the Taiwanese Embassy in Basseterre partnered with the Ministry of Health to hold one of its health walks to promote healthy living and raise awareness of Non-Communicable Diseases (NDC).
NCDs continue to plague the health systems in the Federation and the Government is working assidiously to combat the problem.
The Taiwanese Embassy continues to work with the Government and people of St. Kitts and Nevis in the areas of cultural development, education, health, infrastructure and sports.
It is partnering with the St. Kitts Music Festival through sponsorship; it recently reopened the New Road Family Park; sponsored activities for Carnival 2022/2023; and aided in the development of the Malcolm Guishard Park on Nevis, among other initiatives.
Premier and Former Foreign Affairs Minister, Mark Brantley recently called for Taiwan to be given a seat at the international table, describing it as being “a peaceful, democratic and modern country”.
But just as more voices are making calls, Beijing continues to lay claim to the territory, blocking it from being independent, hamstringing growth and expansion efforts for the economy.
“Taiwan should be allowed a voice at the World Health Assembly (WHA) to share its vast experience as global leaders in the provision of healthcare. Taiwan should be allowed to participate at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as it hosts one of the busiest airports in Asia and is on the cutting edge of aviation safety and security. Taiwan should be allowed to participate in INTERPOL as the fight against transnational crime knows neither politics nor boundaries. Taiwan must be allowed to share its expertise across international multilateral organizations as we all strive to meet our Sustainable Development Goals,” Brantley recently wrote on his social media page.
The Federation’s Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, recently wrapped up a state visit to Taiwan, and he has also been championing efforts for the island-nation to be included in decision-making globally.
Brantley recently underscored the relationship between the two nations which is approaching 40 years, writing: “We thank Taiwan for its long partnership with St. Kitts and Nevis and as we approach 40 years of Independence and 40 years of friendship between our two peoples, we join in the ever increasingly loud chorus that it is time that the expertise, knowledge and technology that Taiwan has to offer the world be allowed into the global space without further delay.”
Despite that chorus, the island-nation has been losing a number of critical allies as Honduras recently shifting over to main-land China, which prompted Brantley to chastise the United States for not showing more interest to the allies of Taiwan so that it does not become isolated globally.
