「世界衛生組織」（WHO）為聯合國體系內負責衛生事務之專門機構，成立於1948年，目前有194個會員國與2個仲會員，「世界衛生大會」（WHA）每年在瑞士日內瓦舉行。
WHO在公共衛生所扮演的角色包括：（1）領導攸關衛生之事項並以夥伴身分參與必要的聯合行動；（2）制訂研究議程、協助開發及宣揚有價值的知識；（3）制訂規範與標準，並促進及監測其實施；（4）闡釋合乎倫理且證據導向的政策方案；（5）提供技術支援，促進變革，並建構永續組織能力；（6）監測衛生狀況並評估衛生趨勢。
我國為WHO創始會員，自1972年後即無法參與該組織。醫療衛生是全球的共同責任，事關公平獲得基本保健和對跨國疾病威脅的集體防範。為維護我國人之衛生權益，我國自1997年起正式推動參與WHO案。WHO於2009年元月將我納入「國際衛生條例」（IHR）之實施對象，2009年至2016年曾邀請我以觀察員身分出席WHA。
2017年起我國雖未正式獲邀出席WHA，但友邦向WHO提出「邀請台灣以觀察員身分參與世界衛生大會」之提案，衛福部長率領之「世衛行動團」在日內瓦透過與友邦、理念相近國家及國際組織雙邊會談及出席我國籌辦之與理念相近國家研討會等爭取眾多國際支持。
2019年底「武漢肺炎」(COVID-19)爆發，致2020年及2021年WHA改以視訊會議召開，嚴峻疫情再次印證疾病無國界，國際社會深刻體認全球防疫合作廣納各方參與之重要性與急迫性，更凸顯全球公衛及防疫體系不能遺漏台灣，台灣是全球防疫不可或缺之夥伴。
我國在無法出席WHA的情形下，仍將積極落實防疫工作，並秉持「專業、務實、有貢獻」之原則在國際醫衛領域作出貢獻，向各國展現我國專業實力及作為國際間負責任一份子的決心，持續爭取各國支持我國參與WHA。
The World Health Organization is the primary UN specialized agency for coordinating international health initiatives. Established in 1948, the WHO comprises 194 member states and two associate members, which meet every year at the World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva.
The WHO provides leadership on global health matters, shapes research agenda, and sets norms and standards. It articulates ethical and evidence-based policy guidance, provides technical support, and monitors health trends.
Although the ROC was a founding member of the organization, its health officials have been unable to participate in WHO meetings since 1972. But since whole world shares in the responsibility to ensure equitable access to essential care and fight transnational health threats collectively, in 1997, the government launched a campaign to participate in the WHO. In January 2009, the WHO included Taiwan in the implementation of the International Health Regulations of 2005, and Taiwan’s health ministers were invited to attend the WHA as observers from 2009 to 2016.
Since 2017, Taiwan has not been able to officially partake in the WHA, but its diplomatic allies submitted the proposal “Inviting Taiwan to Participate in the WHA as an Observer” as a supplementary item. The Taiwan WHA Action Team, led by the Minister of Health and Welfare, conducted important sideline meetings with diplomatic allies, likeminded countries, and international organizations to muster support for Taiwan’s WHO bid.
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak in December 2019, WHA could only been held virtually in 2020 and 2021. The ravaging pandemic has again proved that disease knows no border. The international community increasingly understands the importance and urgency for inclusive global cooperation in publish health and disease prevention. The pandemic also accentuates the importance of Taiwan. Taiwan is an indispensable partner in the global fight against COVID-19.
In the meantime, Taiwan will continue to assist in disease control and contribute to international medical care in professional, pragmatic, and constructive ways.