To Reform WHO, Prevent US Withdrawal, Taiwan's Exclusion

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Taking in the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Assembly (WHA) of the World Health Organization (WHO) recently adopted the Pandemic Accord.

It calls for strengthening measures to improve international cooperation to prevent and respond to future pandemics. For example, it promotes the transfer of technology and knowledge related to vaccine manufacturing to developing countries. Likewise, it advocates for the rapid sharing of information on pathogens.

We remember the challenges and welcome the adoption of the accord. After all, viruses recognize no borders.

Short-sighted Denial of Taiwan's Participation

That's why the denial of Taiwan's participation as an observer in the WHO General Assembly is so problematic. Once again, as in the past, this was due to obstruction from China.

Eight countries, including Japan, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, issued a joint press statement contending that excluding Taiwan was "completely unjustified." Nevertheless, Taiwan remains excluded from the General Assembly.

*World Health Organization headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland (©Kyodo)*

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson declared that Taiwan has sufficient unimpeded channels to communicate and cooperate with WHO in the technical domain. Then he claimed the "so-called 'gap' in global anti-epidemic efforts is nothing but a politically-driven lie."

On the contrary, the truth is that it is Beijing that is peddling political lies. China cannot be allowed to willfully create blank spaces on the world health map.

Problem of US Withdrawal from WHO

Unfortunately, the United States has announced its intention to withdraw from the WHO and did not attend the WHA.

In a video address to the general assembly, US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr criticized the organization. "Not only has the WHO capitulated to political pressure from China, it's also failed to maintain an organization characterized by transparency and fair governance by and for its Member States," said Secretary Kennedy.

He observed that the Pandemic Accord would "lock in all of the dysfunction of the WHO pandemic response." Saying, "we're not going to participate in that," he also suggested other nations consider leaving the WHO.

Secretary Kennedy's views of China's influence on WHO are certainly valid. When the COVID-19 outbreak first occurred, China's government under Xi Jinping failed to disclose information promptly. The time lag allowed the virus to spread around the world with calamitous results.

*US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Kennedy. (©Getty via Kyodo）*

WHO's declaration of a global health emergency was also delayed. Despite those facts, Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus bent over backwards to please China in words and deeds. He even commended China for taking "swift and effective measures" after its repeated failures.

In Need of Transparency and Fair Governance

Meanwhile, the US is a major manufacturer of vaccines. Its withdrawal from the WHO will create a tremendous vacuum. Moreover, China will replace the US as the number one contributor to the WHO budget, further increasing Beijing's influence.

In that case, the WHO will lose even more transparency and fair governance. Such an outcome would not be desirable for either the world or America itself. Washington should reconsider its withdrawal from WHO and act responsibly as a member of the international community.

Japan, the United States, Europe, and other nations must work together to reform the WHO. Simultaneously, they should begin planning for the election of WHO's next director general in 2027.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong attended the 2025 WHA and met with Tedros. He told the director general, "China stands ready to work with the WHO to promote the building of a global community of health for all."

The fact is, however, that a WHO led by China will do the exact opposite.

Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun

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