Sweden hosts seminar advocating for Taiwan’s WHA inclusion

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Swedish Institute for Security and Development Policy (ISDP) hosted an online seminar on Wednesday (May 8), where the representative to Sweden expressed hope for Swedish support for Taiwan to participate in the upcoming World Health Assembly (WHA).

The WHA is set to take place in Geneva on May 27. The Taipei Mission in Sweden revealed that the seminar invited Representative to Switzerland Gu Ruey-sheng to deliver the opening remarks. Reinhard Bütikofer, head of the European Parliament's delegation for relations with China, and Tunghai University political scientist Shen Yu-chung were also invited to participate online.

Gu pointed out that Taiwan's exclusion from the WHA prevents it from accessing and sharing epidemic information in real-time through mechanisms such as the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) and the Global Digital Health Certification Network (GDHCN).

Bütikofer noted that Taiwan had previously participated in the WHA as an observer, demonstrating that Taiwan's participation is not a legal issue, but a political one.

Shen believes that supporting Taiwan's participation in global health discussions helps promote regional stability and peace. He suggested that like-minded countries could support Taiwan by participating in the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF).

The ISDP, a non-profit, non-partisan research and policy organization based in Stockholm, announced the establishment of the Stockholm Taiwan Center (STC) on its official website on March 21, hoping to enhance understanding of Taiwan's importance in international affairs.