By: Bernadette Carreon
Palau has taken a prominent stand anew alongside eight other diplomatic allies of Taiwan, calling on the United Nations to reject political pressure from Beijing and uphold neutrality in its dealings with Taiwan.
The appeal comes ahead of the 80th UN General Assembly debate, where Taiwan’s international participation remains a contentious issue.
Palau’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ilana Victorya Seid, was among six ambassadors who personally delivered a joint letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at UN headquarters, Taipei Times reports.
The letter, according to the article was signed by representatives from Belize, Eswatini, Guatemala, the Marshall Islands, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tuvalu, and challenges the interpretation of UN Resolution 2758 — a 1971 resolution that recognized the People’s Republic of China as the legitimate representative of China at the UN.
The allies argue that the resolution has been misused to exclude Taiwan from the UN system, even though it does not explicitly mention Taiwan or its participation in international organizations.
“Resolution 2758 should not be weaponized to block Taiwanese people and media from attending UN meetings,” the letter stated, calling such practices discriminatory and unjustified.
Palau, as a supporter of Taiwan, emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and warned that misinterpretations of the resolution threaten that balance. The letter asserts that Taiwan’s contributions to global affairs should not be stifled by political maneuvering.
Lee Chih-chiang, Director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, expressed gratitude to Taiwan’s allies, including Palau. Palau’s position underscores its commitment to democratic values and regional cooperation, reinforcing its role as a key ally in Taiwan’s ongoing quest for international recognition.