From May 19 to 27, 2025, Geneva will host the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA), a crucial event where World Health Organization (WHO) members will address the main global health challenges. However, once again, Taiwan risks being excluded from these important discussions.
For years, Taiwan has been a significant contributor to international public health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it showcased the excellence of its healthcare system through swift and effective crisis management and concrete acts of solidarity: it donated over 7 million masks, respirators, face shields, and other medical supplies to the countries hit hardest — including Italy. Moreover, Taiwan has built solid experience in international health cooperation, providing medical assistance and training programs for healthcare workers in partner countries.
Taiwan and Italy share a common vision: recognizing health as a fundamental human right and committing to promote Universal Health Coverage (UHC), ensuring that everyone has access to quality, affordable, and sustainable healthcare services. Since 1995, Taiwan has established a national health insurance system that now covers 99.9% of its population, making it a global model for UHC. Similarly, Italy, through its National Health Service, protects the right to health for all citizens and actively supports health equity at the global level. Faced with today’s challenges, Taiwan and Italy continue to promote the WHO’s objectives, working for global health equity and security so that no one is left behind.
Despite these significant contributions, Taiwan remains excluded from the WHO Assembly and numerous technical meetings due to political reasons, based on a misinterpretation of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and WHO Resolution WHA25.1. It is crucial to emphasize that neither of these resolutions mentions Taiwan or authorizes China to represent it within the UN or WHO systems.
Taiwan simply asks to fulfill its responsibility as a member of the international community, contributing without political barriers to global health efforts. Its participation — even just as an observer at the WHA and other WHO technical bodies — is essential to ensure that public health is truly a universal right.
In this context, it is important to recall that on March 12, 2025, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Italian Chamber of Deputies approved the final report of its inquiry on the Indo-Pacific, and earlier, on September 18, 2024, it adopted a resolution supporting Taiwan’s international participation. These acts demonstrate the growing recognition, including in Italy, of the need for an inclusive approach based on shared values of democracy, respect, and solidarity.
We therefore call on Italy, its institutional representatives, and civil society to continue supporting Taiwan’s cause. We urge the WHO to adopt an approach based on professionalism and mutual respect, allowing Taiwan to participate in the WHA, technical mechanisms, and critical negotiations such as the Global Pandemic Accord.
Taiwan looks forward with great hope to working even more closely with the international community to realize the WHO’s vision: “Health is a fundamental human right” and no one should be left behind.
Taiwan is ready to make its contribution. Let’s not close the door on global health.
Riccardo Tsan-Nan Lin
Consul and Director General
Taipei Representative Office in Italy – Milan Office