Taiwan Seeks Role In Fullfilling U.N. Sustainable Development Goals: Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang

By Deepak Arora

TAIPEI, Sept 4: Ahead of the opening of the United Nations' 79th General Assembly beginning September 10, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tien Chung-kwang has once again sought Taiwan's role in contributing towards U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.

Speaking to news persons in Taipei City to detail Taiwan’s annual U.N. campaign, Minister Tien Chung-kwang said the theme of the UN General Assembly general debate, set to kick off from September 24, is “Leaving No One Behind: Acting Together for the Advancement of Peace, Sustainable Development and Human Dignity for Present and Future Generations.”

Ironically, he said Taiwan’s 23.5 million people are still excluded from the global organization.

The Deputy Minister said China’s distortion of U.N.G.A. Resolution 2758 continues to pose serious threats to the Taiwan Strait status quo and peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Tien urged the U.N. to take proactive action to address the issue.

Since the resolution does not exclude Taiwan’s U.N. participation, Tien called on the global organization to seek proper arrangements for Taiwan to take part in its activities, meetings and mechanisms, so that Taiwan can contribute to fulfilling U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.

Tien also said the U.N. Secretariat should adopt a neutral position and stop misusing the resolution to deprive the rights of Taiwan people and media to visit the U.N., take part in or cover its activities and meetings.

To canvass more global support for Taiwan, Tien said the government will continue to appeal to its allies’ permanent U.N. representatives to send joint letters to U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres and speak for Taiwan at related U.N. events.

A short film entitled “IC You” was launched the same day to showcase Taiwan’s technology and semiconductor manufacturing prowess, emphasizing the country’s key role in global development. A number of sideline events will also be staged during the 79th assembly elucidating the case for Taiwan’s U.N. participation, the ministry said.