As we navigate the uncertain waters of a post-pandemic world, where new economic, social, and political landscapes are forming, World Health Organization (WHO) member states are negotiating a crucial pandemic agreement, slated for potential ratification at the 77th World Health Assembly in May.
This treaty is designed to bolster global defences against future pandemics by fostering solidarity and creating robust, actionable strategies. Alarmingly, Taiwan faces potential exclusion from these critical discussions despite its proven track record in global health security.
Taiwan, cognizant of the pivotal role it can play in bolstering global health resilience, has diligently sought participation in various WHO mechanisms, including the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) and the Global Digital Health Certification Network (GDHCN). However, its efforts to secure WHO Listed Authority prequalification certification and establish a national focal point for noncommunicable diseases have been met with silence from the organization.
The repercussions of Taiwan’s exclusion are not merely theoretical but have tangible implications for global health. For instance, Taiwan’s inability to join the GDHCN impedes its capacity to verify and issue standardized digital certification documents, thereby complicating vaccination verification processes and access to healthcare for Taiwanese abroad and foreign nationals in Taiwan. This exclusion could potentially exacerbate the burden on other countries’ healthcare systems in the event of a new global pandemic, significantly affecting millions of travellers and expatriates annually.
Moreover, the WHO’s refusal to display contact point information for Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control on the IHR intranet obstructs direct communication channels for pandemic-related information exchange, thereby impeding effective global pandemic prevention efforts. Despite Taiwan’s noteworthy contributions to global health security, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, its exclusion from critical initiatives such as the WHO Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System (PABS) and the Global Pandemic Supply Chain and Logistics Network represents a significant loss of expertise and resources for the international community.
It is crucial, therefore, for countries like Canada to push for Taiwan’s inclusion in WHO mechanisms and activities. By advocating for Taiwan’s observer status at the WHA and promoting its integration into global health governance, Canada can enhance global health security and advance its strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region. Such actions resonate with Canada’s commitment to inclusivity, fairness, and international cooperation, contributing to a more robust global health framework.
In a significant step forward, Taiwan and Canada recently ratified a memorandum of understanding last May, reinforcing their commitment to collaborative public health efforts. This bilateral agreement strengthens their partnership, streamlining responses to public health crises and enhancing resilience against future challenges. Canada’s support for Taiwan’s role in global health underscores the practical necessity of international solidarity in health governance.
We must remember that Taiwan was among the first to warn the WHO of the impending COVID-19 crisis in 2019. Regrettably, due to its non-member status, Taiwan’s early warnings and inquiries about human-to-human transmission were largely overlooked. This oversight must not be repeated; ignoring Taiwan’s capability and expertise in global health matters is not just a diplomatic misstep—it is a serious global vulnerability.
Jin-Ling Chen is the director-general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Toronto
