St. Lucia has reiterated a call for Taiwan to be included in World Health Organization (WHO) meetings, activities, and mechanisms.
A government statement said the island has re-stated its position during the 142nd session of the WHO executive board meeting that ends in Geneva on Tuesday.
St. Lucia is among a handful of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries with diplomatic relations with Taiwan that China considers to be a renegade province. Beijing has called on countries to adhere to the One China policy as it seeks to ostracize Taipei globally.
“St. Lucia recognizes the efforts of Taiwan to stem the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and its commitment to pandemic surveillance and information sharing with other countries through bilateral and multilateral platforms,” the government statement said.
“Taiwan has also leveraged smart technologies in fighting the pandemic and implemented innovative anti-pandemic policies and measures. Taiwan’s exclusion from the WHO mechanisms not only hinders the networking and information sharing among different parties, but also seriously undermines the effectiveness of communicable disease prevention and control efforts worldwide.”
St. Lucia said the WHO “therefore is urged to include Taiwan into all health emergency-related meetings and mechanisms, such as WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence and the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), and to invite Taiwan to the ongoing talks related to the WHO pandemic accord and the amended International Health Regulations (IHR).
“Taiwan, as an indispensable partner committed to helping the world, stands firm in its commitment to work with WHO and international partners.
“St. Lucia once again, urges WHO to include Taiwan in all technical meetings, activities, and mechanisms, as well as to invite Taiwan to participate in the World Health Assembly (WHA) as an observer,” the statement added.
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