SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 32

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2013

INTRODUCED BY

Michael S. Sanchez

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA (TAIWAN) TO BE GRANTED OBSERVER STATUS BY CERTAIN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS.

     WHEREAS, the Republic of China (Taiwan) became Asia's first republic in 1911 and, over the past two decades, has been praised as a beacon of democracy for Asia, having made great strides toward entering the world arena as a trusted partner; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan is not currently permitted to join many international organizations, which prevents the country from making significant contributions in such areas as economics, aviation, health and climate; and

     WHEREAS, during the seventeenth session of the conference of the parties, to be held in Durban, South Africa, from November 28 to December 9, 2013, delegations from around the world will gather to discuss such issues as the post-2012 climate regime, stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, the future of the Kyoto Protocol and implementation of the Cancun agreement; and

     WHEREAS, although Taiwan has yet to be permitted participation as an observer in the United Nations framework convention on climate change process, it still aspires to be a part of global efforts toward climate change mitigation and adaptation; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan has decided to reduce, by 2020, its greenhouse gas emissions by at least thirty percent relative to the business-as-usual benchmark and has drafted a greenhouse gas emissions reduction bill that will soon be put through its legislature; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan's participation in the conference of the parties would conform to the spirit and purpose of the United Nations framework convention on climate change that acknowledges "the global nature of climate change calls for the widest possible cooperation", and Taiwan's environmental protection administration should be admitted to participate as an observer in the sessions of the conference of the parties since it is qualified in matters covered by the United Nations framework convention on climate change; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan's continuing absence from international climate organizations such as the United Nations framework convention on climate change has impeded Taiwan's ability to respond to natural disasters such as Typhoon Morakot in 2009; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan has had no direct contact with the international civil aviation organization since it was excluded from the organization in 1971; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan's absence from international organizations dealing with airline safety and security has left a gap in the international aviation security system, as Taiwan is a key transport hub in the Asia-Pacific region and has one of the world's largest airports by cargo volume, Taoyuan international airport; and

     WHEREAS, meaningful participation by the government of Taiwan as an observer in the meetings and activities of the international civil aviation organization will contribute both to the fulfillment of that organization's overarching mission and to the success of a global strategy to address aviation security threats based on effective international cooperation; and

     WHEREAS, since May 2009, Taiwan's department of health has been invited for four consecutive years to attend the world health assembly as an observer under the designation "Chinese Taipei"; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan seeks to contribute to peace, freedom and security in the world as a responsible stakeholder and peaceable nation of twenty-three million citizens through Taiwanese policies such as "viable diplomacy" in foreign affairs and its pragmatic approach to relations with mainland China; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico has had a strong economic and cultural relationship with Taiwan since establishing sister-state relations in 1985 and sister-city relations between Albuquerque and Hualien in 1983;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the congress and the president of the United States be requested to support the efforts of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to be granted observer status by certain international organizations, including the United Nations framework convention on climate change, the international civil aviation organization and the world health organization; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the president of the United States, to the United States secretary of state and to the members of New Mexico's congressional delegation.

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