Taiwan Digital Diplomacy Association (TDDA) representatives submitted the “Supporting Taiwan joining the WHA” petition to Swiss National Council Member Nicolas Walder on Monday. Eleven Taiwanese medical and civil society organizations signed the petition to advocate for Taiwan’s international inclusion. 

Walder is a member of the Swiss-Taiwan parliamentary friendship group, and he proposed deepening economic ties between the two nations in a visit to Taiwan earlier this year. 

TDDA President Chiayo Kuo says health should not be political and international support is crucial for Taiwan. TDDA says it organized the petition after seeing Taiwan’s lack of access to WHA resources during the SARS epidemic and COVID-19 pandemic. 

The petition includes a request to strengthen Switzerland-Taiwan bilateral ties through legislation. The petition also encourages Swiss parliamentarians to persuade decision-making bodies to act on Taiwan-related issues. It also calls on Switzerland to promote Taiwanese experts’ participation in international organizations.