After a 20-year-long effort, Taiwan became an official member of the WTO on Jan.1. The focus of Taiwan's march toward membership in international organizations will therefore shift this year to achieving observer status in the World Health Organization (WHO).
The WHO works to promote the highest possible standards of health, emphasizing that, "the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition."
Taiwan needs the WHO and the WHO also needs Taiwan: the sharing of experience and cooperation between the two to eliminate epidemics would improve the health standards of the people of Taiwan and of humanity in general.
The Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) has long fought for the rights and interests of the Taiwanese people, aggressively lobbying the US Congress and administrative authorities for support for Taiwan's observer status in the WHO.
Both the US Senate and Con-gress have passed legislation in support of Taiwan being given observer status in the body. On Jan. 13, FAPA held its 20th anni-versary celebration in Taiwan. The leading US proponent of Taiwan's WHO membership, US Representative Sherrod Brown, participated.
FAPA not only helps the people of Taiwan understand the efforts expended by Taiwanese organizations and friends overseas to raise Taiwan's status, but it also encourages the government and people to improve contacts and strengthen cooperation with overseas groups and more aggressively promote WHO membership.
This year, both governmental and non-governmental organizations have made early preparations to initiate efforts to acquire WHO membership, including contacting the organization's executive board.
Even though the first round met with difficulties, we will continue our unremitting efforts at the World Health Conference to be held in May. American friends of Taiwan have also begun an attempt to secure a legal amendment in Congress promoting Taiwan's membership in the WHO this year, in the hopes that US administrative authorities will have ample time to prepare the groundwork.
In addition to the US, however, we of course have to work hard to gain the support of other countries, in particular those in the EU. Given the closeness of cooperation between the US and Taiwan, however, we believe that many other countries will support Taiwan's entry into the WHO.
In short, the effort for Taiwan to gain entry into the WHO or other international organizations must continue, 365 days a year. We must do good deeds, plan and design, and never relent in our efforts.
Chen Lung-chu is chairman of the Taiwan New Century Foundation.
Translated by Perry Svensson
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