New York, Sept. 21 (CNA) Republic of Nauru President Russ Joseph Kun on Thursday voiced support for Taiwan’s inclusion in the United Nations and also thanked the country for its continued support and aid.
In his address made during the third day of the 78th General Debate, Kun called for wider recognition of Taiwan, emphasizing its right to participate in the global forum and “in the implementation of the 2030 agenda and its sustainable development goals.”
Kun also praised Taiwan for its example of good practice when handling COVID-19, and said Nauru must thank Taiwan for supporting the island country’s healthcare system.
Kun said that Taiwan “was and is continuing to be a leading example in good practice to responding to and containing the disease.”
Video source: United Nations
On the second day of the General Debate, Eswatini and the Marshall Islands also voiced support for Taiwan’s inclusion in the U.N.
In response to that support, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said on social media that she was thankful for the statements made by Eswatini King Mswati III and Marshall Islands President David Kabua in support of Taiwan and for highlighting just how important Taiwan’s inclusion in the U.N. system is for sustainability and global stability.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Representative to the United States Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) on Wednesday thanked allies for their support of Taiwan at an event held by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr., attended the event, along with Marshall Islands President Kabua, as well as representatives from more than 100 like-minded countries, the office said in a statement.
According to the statement, Hsiao said peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait were vital to the security and prosperity of the international community.
Hsiao added that she was glad to see a statement in August from the Group of Seven (G7) countries’ foreign ministers stating they “reaffirm their shared commitment to maintaining the rules-based international order, peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and beyond.”
Meanwhile, at the event, Whipps Jr. said Palau highly valued its relationship with Taiwan, and thanked Taiwan for helping the country contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
He urged the U.N. to recognize that 23 million Taiwanese people should not be excluded from the global organization and to truly realize the vision of “Leave No One Behind.”
Also at the event, Marshall Islands President Kabua expressed his support for Taiwan joining the U.N., after his address at the General Debate earlier that day.
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.
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 António Guterres.
Taiwan’s representative office in New York is holding several promotional events near U.N. headquarters, while a delegation of Taiwanese lawmakers is in the city to advocate for Taiwan’s inclusion in the U.N.
Sept. 24: 3 more diplomatic allies speak for Taiwan’s U.N. inclusion at 78th assembly
Sept. 23: Saint Lucia, Tuvalu voice support for Taiwan’s U.N. inclusion
Sept. 21: Marshallese President Kabua urges U.N. to discard ‘dogma’ barring Taiwan
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