The 63th session of the United Nations General Assembly will open Sept. 16. On Aug. 14, 17 diplomatic allies of Taiwan submitted to the U.N. Secretariat a proposal requesting that the General Assembly pass a resolution accepting the "Need to Examine the Fundamental Rights of the 23 Million People of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Participate Meaningfully in the Activities of U.N. Specialized Agencies."
Taiwan's absence, since 1971, from conferences, mechanisms and conventions under the auspices of U.N. specialized agencies has created a major gap in the U.N. system. For example, Taiwan has been trying to participate in the World Health Organization for years, but has been unable to establish direct access to and communication with WHO regarding disease prevention. As a result, Taiwan can neither acquire the latest medical and health updates nor receive timely assistance when epidemics such as SARS occur.
Taiwan's inability to participate in meetings held by the International Civil Aviation Organization deprives it of access to crucial information with which to formulate domestic civil aviation rules and measures that conform to international regulations with regard to global aviation security.
Moreover, despite having the world's 10th-largest shipping capacity, Taiwan has no access to the International Maritime Organization meetings and cannot acquire information firsthand. To make matters worse, the frequent challenge of the validity of Taiwan seaman's certificates has hampered the development of Taiwan's shipping industry.
The government of Taiwan calls upon the international community to support Taiwan's international participation, and appeals to mainland China to understand the hopes of its people.
director, information division, taipei economic and cultural representative office, tokyo
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