Although there are many health issues on the agenda, when the World Health Assembly (WHA) meets in Geneva from May 17 to May 21, an issue not yet on the agenda -- Taiwan's bid to join the Assembly as an observer -- is sure to be one of the highlights during the five-day conference, according to a diplomat in Geneva.
An official delegation, led by Minister of Health Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁), is on its way to Geneva to lobby for Taiwan prior to the meeting, and a Taiwan civilian group headed by former minister of health Twu Shiing-jer (涂醒哲) will also beat the drum for Taiwan during the WHA meeting, the anonymous diplomat said.
Taiwan's attempt, the eight in a row, has been thrust into the limelight because of Washington's support, he said.
The US House of Representatives unanimously voted on April 21 to urge the Department of State to come up with an action program to help Taiwan to join the WHA.
On the same day, assistant US secretary of state for east asian and pacific affairs James Kelly promised to figure out a way to include Taiwan in the WHA as an observer, which doesn't require statehood.
Kelly said if this issue was put to a vote at the General Committee of the WHA, which sets up the agenda for the conference, the US would vote for Taiwan.
In the previous seven years, the issue never made it to the WHA agenda.
At least 11 of Taiwan's 27 allies have signed a proposal to invite Taiwan to join the WHA this year.
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