In response to recent global epidemics, and to reinforce global health and safety, Taiwan held a forum on “International Collaboration and Response Mechanism for Epidemics” with the U.S. and other like-minded countries today (May 24) in Geneva, Switzerland. The forum emphasized the prevention of disease transmission and protection of all human beings’ health as a universal goal that all countries should work toward. All of the participating countries acknowledged the contribution of Taiwan to epidemic prevention worldwide.

During his address in the multilateral forum today, Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung emphasized that Taiwan will do its share of work and duty as a member of the global village, taking part in international collaboration projects and sharing our own experiences, all in order to help prevent epidemic outbreaks. Taiwan will also organize epidemic prevention training sessions to assist neighboring countries in enhancing their capacity to prevent epidemics, thereby improving the health and safety of people in the region and all over the world. In the Forum, Director-General of the Centers for Disease Control Chou Jih-haw explained how Taiwan prepared against outbreaks of flu to demonstrate Taiwan’s general preparedness for and response to global epidemics and its contribution to worldwide epidemic prevention.

The past twenty years have seen major outbreaks of contagious diseases, including SARS, avian flus, Ebola, MERS, and Zika. They spread from country to country, quickly becoming regional or even global epidemics and posing serious threats to the health condition of an entire region or even the whole world. International collaboration is more necessary than ever. WHO needs Taiwan; Taiwan needs WHO.

The Forum was attended by representatives of like-minded countries, as well as Taiwanese legislators and representatives of NGOs and private organizations.