Video source: United Nations
New York, Sept. 21 (CNA) Marshall Islands President David Kabua called on the United Nations on Wednesday to rescind its interpretation of Resolution 2758, which currently bars Taiwan from participating in the international organization.
There is still a “visible crack” in the U.N., as it “will never be whole and complete without the meaningful participation of the 23 million people of Taiwan,” Kabua said in his address on the second day of the General Debate at the 78th General Assembly in New York.
He also criticized the U.N.’s specialized agencies, meetings and mechanisms, for what he described as their continuous efforts to close the doors to journalists and visitors from Taiwan.
The root of the problem, Kabua said, is that the “U.N. bureaucracy” continues stick to a “wrongful misinterpretation of Resolution 2758,” using it to exclude the U.N.’s engagement with the people of Taiwan and their democratic system.
“We must have the courage to recognize the reality of the present situation and relegate this outdated dogma to the vaults of history,” said Kabua, whose Pacific island country has been a diplomatic ally of Taiwan for 25 years.
Taiwan, officially called the Republic of China, left the U.N. in 1971, when the People’s Republic of China took its place, and it has since been excluded from the U.N.’s special agencies.
Resolution 2758, which was adopted by the U.N. 26th General Assembly in 1971 to resolve the issue of China’s representation, recognizes the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the “only lawful representative of China.”
It does not mention Taiwan and does not state that “Taiwan is part of the PRC,” as China claims, according to the Taiwan government. The resolution also does not authorize Beijing to represent Taipei in the U.N. system, according to Taiwan.
Video source: United Nations
Meanwhile, King Mswati III of Eswatini, Taiwan’s only diplomatic ally in Africa, also voiced his support for Taiwan’s inclusion in the U.N., in his address Wednesday.
“Sustaining the SDGs [sustainable development goals] will require that member states develop innovative financing strategies to ensure that implementation reaches those most left behind,” he said.
“At this critical juncture, including Taiwan is an essential next step if we are to successfully achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” he said. “We call for Taiwan’s inclusion in the United Nations system, which encompasses participation in meetings, mechanisms, and activities that pertain to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.”
Doing so would not only strengthen global cooperation and partnership, but also emphasize the principle of ensuring that “no one is left behind,” he said.
The 78th General Assembly kicked off on Sept. 5 at the U.N. headquarters in New York, and the General Debate is being held Sept. 19-26.
Taiwan’s government had said earlier that it had asked its 13 diplomatic allies and other like-minded countries to express support this year for its inclusion in the U.N., either by speaking up during the General Assembly or sending a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres.
Taiwan’s representative office in New York is holding several promotional events near the U.N. headquarters, while a delegation of Taiwanese lawmakers is in the city to advocate for Taiwan’s inclusion in the U.N.
Sept. 20: Allies call for Taiwan’s U.N. inclusion during General Debate
Sept. 16: Deputy U.N. chief speaks out against Taiwan’s exclusion
Aug. 23: Guatemala president-elect seeks to balance relations with China, Taiwan
July 30: Czech Republic launches e-gate clearance system for Taiwan
