S.J.R. 5 Enrolled

1

JOINT RESOLUTION URGING PRESIDENTIAL
2 SUPPORT OF TAIWAN'S PARTICIPATION IN
3 SPECIALIZED AGENCIES OF THE UNITED NATIONS
4 2009 GENERAL SESSION
5 STATE OF UTAH
6 Chief Sponsor: Michael G. Waddoups
7 House Sponsor: Rebecca D. Lockhart
8 Cosponsors:
9 Gregory S. Bell
10 Curtis S. Bramble
11 D. Chris Buttars
12 Allen M. Christensen
13 Gene Davis
14 Margaret Dayton
15 Brent H. Goodfellow
16 Jon J. Greiner
17 Lyle W. HillyardDavid P. Hinkins
Scott K. Jenkins
Patricia W. Jones
Sheldon L. Killpack
Peter C. Knudson
Daniel R. Liljenquist
Mark B. Madsen
Karen Mayne
Scott D. McCoy
Karen W. MorganWayne L. Niederhauser
Ralph Okerlund
Luz Robles
Ross I. Romero
Howard A. Stephenson
Dennis E. Stowell
Stephen H. Urquhart
John L. Valentine
Kevin T. Van Tassell 18
19 LONG TITLE
20 General Description:
21 This joint resolution of the Legislature urges the Obama Administration to support the
22 efforts of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to meaningfully participate in the specialized
23 agencies of the United Nations.
24 Highlighted Provisions:
25 This resolution:
26 . urges the Obama Administration to support the Republic of China (Taiwan) in
27 obtaining appropriate and meaningful participation in the specialized agencies of
28 the United Nations system, including the World Health Organization.
29 Special Clauses:
30 None
31

32 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
33 WHEREAS, the mission of the United Nations, as stated in the preamble to the United
34 Nations Charter, is to "reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of
35 the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small";
36 WHEREAS, similarly, Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states,
37 "Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms . . . , without distinction of any kind . . .
38 no distinction shall be made on the basis of political, jurisdictional or international status of
39 the country or territory to which a person belongs . . . ";
40 WHEREAS, the global issues addressed by the specialized agencies of the United
41 Nations are closely connected to the well-being of all mankind;
42 WHEREAS, as Taiwan cannot attend the conferences, mechanisms, and activities of
43 the specialized agencies, the welfare of its people, as well as the interests of all humankind,
44 have been seriously jeopardized;
45 WHEREAS, Taiwan has been campaigning for participation in the World Health
46 Organization (WHO) for years, but has been unable to establish direct access to and
47 communication with the WHO regarding disease prevention;
48 WHEREAS, Taiwan is restricted from attending WHO technical conferences and
49 activities and as a result Taiwan can neither acquire the latest medical and health updates nor
50 receive timely assistance when epidemics occur, as was the case with the SARS outbreak;
51 WHEREAS, as early as May 2006, Taiwan announced its decision to comply
52 voluntarily with the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) that went into effect June 15,
53 2007;
54 WHEREAS, although Taiwan has repeatedly submitted updates to the WHO about
55 various diseases, the WHO has not responded;
56 WHEREAS, this has been detrimental to the health rights of the 23 million people of
57 Taiwan and foreigners residing in and traveling to Taiwan;
58 WHEREAS, it also creates a weakness in the global epidemic surveillance network
59 which can harm the international community;

60 WHEREAS, being the world's 18th largest economy and the 20th largest outbound
61 investor, Taiwan possesses significant economic strength;
62 WHEREAS, Taiwan hopes to share its development experience with many developing
63 nations;
64 WHEREAS, Taiwan is also willing to give back to the world through humanitarian
65 assistance and technical cooperation;
66 WHEREAS, the issues that the specialized agencies of the United Nations system
67 handle tend to be functional and technical in nature; and
68 WHEREAS, allowing Taiwan's participation with these specialized agencies would be
69 helpful for the two sides of the Taiwan Strait to set aside differences and strengthen
70 cooperation on issues of mutual concern, thereby gradually reducing friction and promoting
71 stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region:
72 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
73 urges the Obama Administration to support Taiwan and its 23 million people in obtaining
74 appropriate and meaningful participation in the specialized agencies of the United Nations
75 system, including the World Health Organization.
76 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature urges that United States policy
77 include the pursuit of an initiative in the specialized agencies of the United Nations system,
78 such as the World Health Organization, which would give Taiwan meaningful participation in
79 a manner that is consistent with the respective organization's requirements.
80 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the President of
81 the United States, the United States Secretary of State, the Secretary of Health and Human
82 Services, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States
83 House of Representatives, the members of Utah's congressional delegation, the Government of
84 Taiwan, the United Nations, and the World Health Organization.