TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Diplomatic allies Saint Kitts and Nevis and Saint Lucia called for Taiwan’s participation in the United Nations during the 80th United Nations General Assembly general debate in New York.

Saint Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Terrance Drew said on Saturday that Taiwan contributes significantly to public health, technology, and disaster response, pointing out that shutting the door on cooperation is “to take a risk the world cannot afford.”

Drew also said that Taiwan’s exclusion is not about favoring one side but about practicality and global interests. He added that the Taiwan Strait represents more than a geographical boundary but a “lifeline of commerce and human connection.”

Saint Lucia’s Foreign Minister Alva Romanus Baptiste likewise urged member states to allow Taiwan to “meaningfully participate” in the UN system, stating that the “UN resolution 2758 of 1971 does not preclude Taiwan’s inclusion and participation in the United Nations system.”