UN General Assembly
2008

shipping capacity, Taiwan does not have access to the International Maritime Organization. That adversely affects the progress of its shipping industry. Furthermore, as the world’s eighth largest economy and twentieth largest foreign investor, Taiwan possesses significant economic strength and continues to share its development experiences with many developing countries through technical and humanitarian assistance. Taiwan is supporting the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and other internationally agreed development goals. I therefore strongly believe that we should all agree to let Taiwan participate in the activities of the specialized agencies of the United Nations. That is a modest request that my delegation fervently hopes merits the Assembly’s objective consideration. The perpetuation of the unjust extraterritorial economic embargo against Cuba has never made sense, does not make sense today and has no place in our community of nations. Its sole objective is to inflict unnecessary harm and suffering on a resolute people. The General Assembly’s persistent calls for its abolition have only met with indifference. At their hour of need, when hurricanes Ike and Gustav inflicted