In response to questions by the Honorable Member, Ms. Annick Ponthier, yesterday at the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ms. Sophie Wilmès expressed her support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations, stating that "Belgium is in favor of Taiwan's participation in the technical work of specialized international organizations on a multilateral level, if this promotes their functioning and the agenda serves the global interest."
Wilmès said she is aware that Taiwan participated in the World Health Assembly (WHA) as an observer from 2016 to 2009. However, since 2016, Taiwan has not been allowed to attend the WHA due to China's position. During her remarks, Wilmès also stated that "in the context of the current unprecedented pandemic, Belgium advocates a World Health Organization (WHO) approach that leaves no one behind and is inclusive. Our country believes that, more than ever, it is essential that cooperation within the WHO is as efficient and transparent as possible. Based on Taiwan's experience in managing pandemics and other public health challenges, our country considers it appropriate that Taiwan be invited as an observer to the next WHA. My services are in contact with the relevant authorities on this matter."
In response, Ms. Ponthier thanked Minister Wilmès for her favorable stance on Taiwan's participation as an observer in the upcoming WHA, and urged her to translate the resolution, adopted by the Chamber of Representatives last July in support of Taiwan's international participation, into concrete action.
The Belgian Chamber of Representatives, Senate, and the Flemish Parliament have all respectively adopted Taiwan-favorable resolutions in the past 9 months, supporting Taiwan's participation in WHO, UNFCCC, ICAO and other international organizations. These recent developments clearly demonstrate that Belgium's administrative and legislative authorities recognize the "Taiwan Model" in combating the pandemic, and further illustrate their support for Taiwan's participation in the WHO and the WHA based on the shared values of democracy and freedom.
We thank Ms. Wilmès, Ms. Ponthier, and the Belgian Government's support for Taiwan's participation in the WHO and the WHA. Taiwan will continue to collaborate with Belgium and other like-minded countries to make even greater contributions to global public health.
https://www.lachambre.be/doc/CCRI/pdf/55/ic458.pdf
