On August 2, 2019, the UN DESA issued a formal letter to grant “Special Consultative Status” to the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS). 

The special consultative status is the core of formal relations between the United States and social organizations, and is also an important way for social organizations to actively participate in the United Nations affairs and international affairs. As of September 2018, there are 5,161 NGOs with consultative status worldwide, including 4,052 NGOs with special consultative status. Among all NGOs with consultative status, there are only 43 who are from China. 

According to the regulations of No. 1996/31 resolution of the ECOSOC, the NGOs with consultative status shall have the following rights: 1. Designate official representatives of the United Nations Headquarters, the United Nations Office at Geneva, the United Nations Office at Vienna, and register and participate in the United Nations project meetings and events. 2. designate authorized representatives as observers to attend public meetings held by: the UN DESA and its subsidiary bodies, the United Nations Human Rights Council, and under certain conditions, the UN General Assembly, and other UN intergovernmental bodies; 3. apply for participation in relevant international conferences convened by the United Nations and meetings of its preparatory bodies, make short speeches and submit written reports; 4. be entrusted by the UN DESA and its subsidiary bodies, and carry out special research and surveys or write specific papers for the NGO committee. 

Since its establishment for more than 30 years, the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) has been committed to carrying out academic exchanges of acupuncture, acupuncture education, legislation, standardization, acupuncture medical care, training and examination, scientific research and information platform construction, etc., and has played an important role in promoting the understanding and cooperation between the global acupuncture specialists and safeguarding the rights of acupuncturists. It has organized and held 9 worldwide general meetings of the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) (8 of which are co-hosted with the World Health Organization and the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences), 14 academic conferences on acupuncture-moxibustion, 25 international symposiums on acupuncture research and more than 30 “Belt & Road” Tour on TCM Acupuncture-Moxibustion. 

Since March 2018, the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) has begun to apply for the special consultative status, and finally achieved this monumental success after 17 months. Therefore, the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) will make full use of its strength and get more opportunities to participate in high-level UN events through the consultative status, promote TCM Acupuncture on a wider stage, enhance its international academic influence, and make greater contributions to building a community of shared future and health for mankind. 

On August 1, a delegation from Shuguang Hospital, affiliated with the Shanghai Chinese Medical University, visited the facilities of the European Foundation of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Barcelona. The delegation was headed by Ms Ma Junjian, Secretary of the CPC Committee, in addition to Ms ZHANG Yi, Head of the CPC Committee Department, Ms Yu Zhihong, Head of the Department of Medical Affairs, Mr Huang Wenqi, Vice President of the General Office, Mr ZHANG Xiaotian, Head of the Department of Preventive Treatment of TCM and Mr ZHANG Wei, Head of the Department of Respiration.

The delegation was received by representatives of the FEMTC, Dr Ramón María Calduch, Prof. Elena Chen, Ms Xinyue Chen and Mr Pau Forcada, Vice President, Director General, responsible for the Department of International Relations and Executive Director of the FEMTC respectively.

A productive and enriching work meeting was held in which, among other important issues, the current situation of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Spain was analysed, as well as visiting the facilities and exchanging gifts that strengthen the strong ties between both entities.

Ramon Mª Calduch

Madrid, August 29, 2019

On July 31, a delegation from the Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (YUTCM) visited the facilities of the European Foundation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (FEMTC) in Barcelona. The delegation was headed by its Vice President, in addition to Mr Meng Qinghong, the Director of the Infrastructure Department, Mr Luo Wenzhang, the Director of the Office of Development and Social Service, Mr Cao Lei, the head of the Department of International Exchange and Cooperation and Ms Yan, who accompanied them as an interpreter.

The delegation was received by representatives of the FEMTC, Dr Ramón María Calduch, Prof. Elena Chen and Ms Xinyue Chen, Vice President, General Manager and Head of the International Relations Department of the FEMTC respectively, in the centre of Barcelona, where a work meeting was held. The growth of infrastructure, new projects and training offer of the University were reported. With more than 50 years of history, the university awards master's degrees and has three campuses: Bai Ta, Guan Shang, Cheng Gong near Kunming (covers more than 546,940 square meters and the construction area is 270,000 square meters). At YUTCM, thousands of doctorates of various levels and specialities have been trained. It has more than 10,000 students and 1,200 qualified staff members as one of the best universities in China.

Representatives of the FEMTC together with the Yunnan University delegation

The Vice President of Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine gives Dr Calduch the diplomas of graduate students in Postgraduate training

Ramon Mª Calduch

Madrid, August 29, 2019