ROC thanks allies for backing UN agency participation

2014-10-06

A total of 16 ROC allies called for the country’s greater involvement in U.N.-affiliated specialized agencies during the global body’s general assembly Sept. 24-30 in New York, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“MOFA would like to once again thank the diplomatic allies for conveying in concrete terms their firm support of the ROC’s meaningful participation in the U.N. system,” the ministry said Oct. 2.

These countries are Belize, Burkina Faso, Haiti, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Nicaragua, Palau, Paraguay, St. Christopher and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Swaziland and Tuvalu.

As a result of their strong support, “awareness has been raised in the U.N. of the substantive contributions that can be made by the ROC,” MOFA said, adding that the country is ready and willing to expand its presence in the international organization.

According to the ministry, the diplomatic partners praised the ROC for assisting in realizing the Millennium Development Goals and contributing to the agenda of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, International Civil Aviation Organization and World Health Organization.

The ROC’s peacemaking role was also highlighted by the dignitaries, who acclaimed the country for promoting peace and stability in the Asia Pacific through its East China Sea Peace Initiative.

In particular, given the ROC’s significant economic power, the allies believe the country should play a prominent role in regional economic integration, backing its early accession into the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

The ministry reiterated that in the future, the ROC will continue to actively pursue greater participation in the U.N. system in a pragmatic and reasonable manner so as to expand its international space.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=222364&CtNode=413)