Ambassador Jessica Lee: Taiwan’s exclusion from the United Nations is unacceptable nor justifiable.
Interviewer: Ambassador Lee, Taiwan has been long excluded from UN and its related agencies. Could you give us the background and explain why?
Ambassador Lee:
The reason lies in UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, adopted in 1971. This resolution determined who holds China’s seat in the United Nations—it recognized the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as “China’s” official representative. However, the resolution neither mentioned Taiwan nor authorized Beijing to represent Taiwan’s 23 million people. In essence, Taiwan’s exclusion has been a political choice dictated by certain member states, not an explicit legal requirement of international law or the UN itself.
Interviewer: ROC (Taiwan) has been a sovereign state since 1912, however, Beijing claims that UN Resolution 2758 means Taiwan is a part of the PRC. Can you tell us what happened?
Ambassador Lee:
No, that’s a common misconception. Resolution 2758 only resolved the question of who speaks for “China” at the UN. It did not address Taiwan’s status or declare Taiwan as part of the PRC. Unfortunately, misinterpreting this resolution has contributed to an inconsistent and historically unfounded policy that blocks Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the UN system and its specialized agencies.
Interviewer: Why should Taiwan be allowed to participate in the UN and its agencies like WHO and ICAO?
Ambassador Lee:
Taiwan is the world’s 21st largest economy and a global leader in technology, semiconductors, and green energy. Taiwan’s public health success, scientific expertise, and commitment to climate resilience demonstrate its ability to contribute solutions in global forums. Excluding Taiwan weakens the UN’s ability to address pandemics, aviation safety, and climate change—issues where inclusivity is essential. It’s not merely a question of fairness; it’s about the effectiveness and universality of the UN.
Interviewer: Is Taiwan’s participation in the UN just a political issue?
Ambassador Lee:
On the contrary, UN participation is fundamentally about inclusivity and universal cooperation. The UN Charter calls for collaboration between all peoples. Leaving Taiwan’s 23 million people outside the system violates the core mission of the UN and undermines global cooperation. It’s about everyone having a seat at the table when confronting global challenges.
Interviewer: Taiwan’s contributions to the world in various aspects has been wildly recognized. Can you share with that who has been supporting Taiwan’s participation in the UN system?
Ambassador Lee:
There’s a growing coalition of like-minded countries, including the United States, Japan, the European Union, and Taiwan’s diplomatic allies, who openly support Taiwan’s meaningful participation. They recognize that Taiwan’s contributions make the international community stronger and more resilient to shared challenges.
Interviewer: What exactly does Taiwan seek in terms of UN participation?
Ambassador Lee:
Taiwan seeks meaningful participation. Beside UNGA, which is our ultimate goal, we request the access to specialized UN agencies like the World Health Organization (WHO), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Taiwan’s expertise is critical for public health, aviation safety, and sustainable development goals globally. Inclusion is not a political concession but a moral imperative and practical necessity for the credibility and effectiveness of the UN.
In this interview, Ambassador Lee emphasizes that Taiwan’s exclusion is not a result of international law, but of political barriers and misinterpretation of Resolution 2758. Taiwan’s significant contributions and the growing global support for its inclusion highlight both the unfairness and impracticality of its continued exclusion from the UN system.