Written question asked by Luke Akehurst (Labour) on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 1 June 2026. It was answered by Seema Malhotra (Labour) on Thursday, 4 June 2026 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Taiwan: World Health Assembly

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the impact of Taiwan’s exclusion from the World Health Organization on global (a) health co-operation and (b) pandemic preparedness.

Answer: The UK continues to support meaningful participation for Taiwan in international organisations where statehood is not a prerequisite and supports Taiwan's participation as an observer in the World Health Assembly. Ministers and officials regularly discuss global health co-operation with international partners, including within the framework of the World Health Organization. The Government recognises the valuable expertise and capabilities Taiwan can contribute to global public health, including pandemic preparedness and response, and notes that broad international co-operation is important in addressing transnational health issues.

Secondary information