Representatives of multiple civil society organizations from Taiwan and the Americas gathered at Place des Nations in Geneva on Friday to demand that the World Health Organization grant Taiwan meaningful participation in global health governance.
The protest took place on the eve of the annual World Health Assembly, underscoring three decades of sustained advocacy by Taiwanese groups seeking a formal role in the UN health agency.
Lin Shih-chia, executive director of the Taiwan Medical Alliance Foundation, called on democratic governments to confront China’s expanding influence inside the United Nations system. He accused WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of failing to protect the organization’s independence during his ten-year tenure.
“Instead of leading the world’s highest health authority, Tedros has allowed the WHO to be systematically reshaped by China — in its public messaging, finances, and senior appointments,” Lin said. “This is a risk that democracies must recognize and jointly resist if they want to prevent authoritarian penetration of multilateral institutions.”
Dr. Jung-sung Lin of the North American Taiwanese Physicians Association (NATMA) described the long campaign and the frustration that persists.
“After 30 years of pushing for Taiwan’s inclusion in the WHO, I feel both anger and regret that we are once again not invited to the assembly,” he said. “Yet we cannot afford to lower our voice or yield to Chinese pressure. Taiwan must keep speaking out.”
Dr. Heng-li Lin, vice president of the Taichung City Medical Association, emphasized Taiwan’s domestic consensus on international engagement.
“Taiwan is determined to participate more deeply in the global community and to contribute our experience,” he said. “No matter how Washington’s approach to the WHO may shift, our will to engage will not change.”
Lin Shih-chia closed by noting continued support from friendly nations.
“Taiwan still enjoys backing from many democratic countries,” he said. “We urge the WHO to allow Taiwan to take part meaningfully in global health work — including accession to relevant international agreements and participation in the organization’s technical mechanisms.”
He predicted that statements by health ministers and discussions in technical sessions over the coming days would feature clear expressions of solidarity from European and North American allies.
“Taiwan’s voice at this assembly will not fade quietly,” Lin added.
