Advocating for Taiwan's Participation in United Nations Affairs

The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly is set to open next Tuesday, with the global community focusing on pressing issues such as global conflicts, inequality, and health crises. Amidst these discussions, the question of Taiwan's membership in the UN continues to loom large.

Taiwan, a dynamic and long-time US ally, is one of the leading economies in the world, yet it remains barred from participating in the UN General Assembly. This exclusion, despite meeting all the criteria for statehood under the Montevideo Convention of 1934, is a violation of the universality of membership principles.

Taiwan has developed into an established democracy with a robust civil society and free media. Its population of 23 million people is currently excluded from the UN, a situation that has been met with increasing calls for change. The US should consider adding its vote to those who believe Taiwan has earned a UN seat.

In recent years, no specific governments have publicly declared support for Taiwan's membership in the UN General Assembly. However, Taiwan has faced exclusion and pressure mainly from the People's Republic of China, influencing international organizations such as the WHO to limit Taiwan's participation. China has been attempting to annex Taiwan for many years, a fact that underscores the need for international recognition of Taiwan's sovereignty.

Taiwan's meaningful participation in the UN system is not a political issue but a pragmatic one. As a democratic nation with a strong economy, Taiwan could contribute significantly to the UN's efforts in areas such as security matters, global health crises, and the implementation of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

Moreover, Taiwan has provided economic aid to various countries in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Its quiet carving out of a role in the region's security architecture is a testament to its commitment to peace and stability.

Kent Wang, an advisory commissioner for the Overseas Community Affairs Council of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in the US and a research fellow at the Institute for Taiwan-America Studies, has been advocating for Taiwan's UN membership. He argues that the UN's discriminatory policy against Taiwanese passport holders and journalists violates their fundamental human rights.

As the UN General Assembly prepares to convene, the focus should not only be on global crises but also on the principles of fairness and justice. The exclusion of Taiwan from the UN is a violation of these principles, and it is high time that the international community recognises Taiwan's rightful place in the UN.

The high-level General Debate of the 80th session will be held on Sept. 23. It is an opportunity for the world to reaffirm its commitment to the universality of membership principles and to take a step towards a more inclusive and just international community.