Nauru’s Kun supports Taiwan’s UN inclusion
The leader said that Taiwan continues to be ‘a leading example in good practice to responding to and containing’ COVID-19, as it was in the pandemic
Nauruan President Russ Joseph Kun on Thursday voiced support for Taiwan’s inclusion in the UN, and thanked the country for its continued support and aid.
In his address on the third day of the 78th General Debate, Kun called for wider recognition of Taiwan, emphasizing its right to participate in the global forum and “in the implementation of the 2030 agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals.”
Kun also praised Taiwan for its handling of COVID-19 and said that Nauru must thank Taiwan for supporting its healthcare system.
Taiwan “was and is continuing to be a leading example in good practice to responding to and containing the disease,” he said.
On the second day of the General Debate, Eswatini and the Marshall Islands also voiced support for Taiwan’s inclusion in the UN.
In response to that support, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said on social media that she was thankful for the statements made by Eswatini King Mswati III and Marshall Islands President David Kabua in support of Taiwan and for highlighting how important its inclusion in the UN system is for sustainability and global stability.
Meanwhile, Representative to the US Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) on Wednesday thanked allies for their support of Taiwan at an event held by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr attended the event, along with Kabua, as well as representatives from more than 100 like-minded countries, the office said in a statement.
Hsiao said in the statement that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are vital to the security and prosperity of the international community.
Hsiao added that she was glad to see a statement last month from the G7 foreign ministers stating that they “reaffirm their shared commitment to maintaining the rules-based international order, peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and beyond.”
At the event, Whipps said that Palau highly values its relationship with Taiwan, and thanked Taiwan for helping the country during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He urged the UN to recognize that 23 million Taiwanese should not be excluded from the global organization and to truly realize the vision of “Leave no one behind.”
Also at the event, Kabua reiterated his support for Taiwan joining the UN.
The 78th UN General Assembly began on Sept. 5 at UN headquarters in New York and the General Debate runs through Tuesday next week.
Taipei had asked its 13 diplomatic allies and other like-minded countries to express support for its inclusion in the UN, either by speaking up during the General Assembly or sending letters to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.