11 countries sent letters to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday calling for Taiwan’s participation in the organization. The letters were sent as the 2023 General Debate of the U.N. General Assembly (UNGA) came to a close.
The 10 countries of Belize, Eswatini, Guatemala, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Tuvalu sent a joint letter to Guterres, while Paraguay sent a letter independently. All 11 countries maintain official diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
Notably missing from the list is Taiwan’s diplomatic partner Haiti. Haiti was also the only diplomatic ally that is a U.N. member that failed to mention Taiwan during floor speeches at the UNGA. A spokesperson for Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said that the omission of Taiwan from Haiti’s speech was due to the “extraordinary circumstances” Haiti is currently facing.
The joint letter repeated Taiwan’s four longstanding demands to the U.N. First, to end the UNGA Resolution 2758 misinterpretation which has resulted in the exclusion of Taiwan's 23 million people from the world’s most consequential international organization. Second, to immediately end the ban preventing Taiwanese citizens and media from attending U.N. meetings. Third, to declare the U.N.’s commitment to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding areas. Lastly, to accept Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the U.N. system, especially in mechanisms and activities related to realizing the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals.
In the jointly signed letter, the 10 signatories say they will not cease communicating their demands until their goals are achieved.