聯合國工作遍及全球各個角落，雖然聯合國最著名的任務是維持和平、建構和平、預防衝突及人道救援，但聯合國及其體系（專門機構、基金及計畫）還透過其他許多方式，影響全球人類的生活，包括永續發展、難民保護、救災、反恐、裁軍、促進人權、推動經濟暨社會發展及國際衛生等。
我國自1971年退出聯合國以來，即無法參與聯合國及其專門機構所主導之各項會議、機制、公約及活動。為訴請國際社會正視臺灣2,350萬人民對於擴大國際參與空間之期待及需求，並協助國內各項議題、政策方向與國際接軌，進而對國際社會作出貢獻，我國自1993年開始推動參與聯合國案，持續爭取國際社會認同並支持我參與聯合國體系。
2016年5月蔡總統上任後，政府在維護國家主權、尊嚴及增進人民福祉的前提下，秉持專業、務實、有貢獻原則，持續爭取國際支持及推動參與攸關我人民福祉及國家發展議題之聯合國專門機構及機制，包括「世界衛生組織」（WHO）、「國際民航組織」（ICAO）及「聯合國氣候變化綱要公約」（UNFCCC）等。
另政府將以全民福祉為念，配合聯合國大會2015年通過之2030永續發展目標（SDGs），向全球展現我與友邦在消貧、教育提升、醫衛防疫、經貿發展等雙邊合作之成果，並同步協助其等落實SDGs，展現我政府善盡地球公民的責任，並努力與各國建立永續夥伴關係。
The work of the United Nations reaches every corner of the globe and is known for its major role in peace-keeping, peace-building, conflict prevention, and humanitarian aid. Via its specialized agencies, funds, and programs, the UN system also improves people’s lives through sustainable development, refugee protection, disaster relief, counter terrorism, disarmament, and the promotion of human rights, international health, and economic and social development.
Since withdrawing from the UN in 1971, the Republic of China (Taiwan) has been excluded from formal participation in UN meetings, mechanisms, conventions and activities. In 1993, the government launched its first UN campaign, calling upon nations worldwide to recognize the fundamental right of the 23.5 million people of Taiwan to expand their participation in the UN system. This in turn would help Taiwan raise domestic conditions and policies to international norms and further contribute to the world community.
Since President Tsai Ing-wen assumed office in May 2016, the government has remained committed to gaining professional, pragmatic, and constructive participation in UN specialized agencies and mechanisms crucial to the welfare of the people of Taiwan and the nation’s development, while upholding national sovereignty and dignity, and ensuring the welfare of the people. Thus, Taiwan has focused on certain key institutions, namely, the World Health Organization, International Civil Aviation Organization , and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
To further safeguard the people’s welfare, the government has been incorporating the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015 into joint projects with diplomatic allies. Such projects show the world the efforts of Taiwan and its allies with respect to poverty reduction, education, health care and disease prevention, and economic development. In this way, the government serves as a responsible member of the international community and establishes sustainable partnerships with other countries.