NEW YORK, USA – Permanent representatives to the United Nations from nine of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies have issued a joint letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres advocating for Taiwan’s inclusion in the global governing body.
The allies emphasized that the U.N. should proactively address the “malicious distortions” surrounding UN Resolution 2758, which they claim jeopardize the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and hinder peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
The letter calls for the U.N. to facilitate Taiwan’s participation and recognize its significant contributions toward the U.N.’s sustainable development goals, clarifying that UN Resolution 2758 does not preclude Taiwan’s meaningful involvement in the U.N. system.
Furthermore, the letter demands that the U.N. uphold neutrality and refrain from “erroneously citing” UN Resolution 2758, which, they argue, improperly denies Taiwanese individuals and media access to participate in U.N. meetings and events.
While Beijing asserts that the U.N. resolution validates its “One China” principle—which claims Taiwan is an integral part of China—Taiwan argues that the resolution merely addressed China’s U.N. representation without mentioning Taiwan or establishing sovereignty over it.
This joint letter, signed by Belize, Eswatini, Guatemala, the Marshall Islands, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tuvalu, was delivered ahead of the UN’s Summit for the Future and the General Debate of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly next week.
Following the submission, a representative from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines remarked on the necessity of Taiwan’s participation, highlighting its significance in technological advancements, particularly in semiconductor production and artificial intelligence.
The Guatemalan representative expressed optimism that more countries would join the initiative to support Taiwan’s inclusion in the U.N., emphasizing the importance of bringing Taiwan into discussions about the future as a thriving democracy and leader in technology.
Another representative noted Taiwan’s vulnerability as an island nation facing the challenges of rising sea levels, reinforcing the critical need for its presence in climate change discussions at the U.N.
In a separate statement, the head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York expressed gratitude to Taiwan’s diplomatic allies for their support in advocating for Taiwan’s participation in the U.N. system, emphasizing the urgency of rectifying misunderstandings about UN Resolution 2758 and seeking avenues for Taiwan’s inclusion.
