Taiwan failed last week to gain entry to the World Health Organization when the United Nation’s agency decided against placing its admission as a supplementary item on this year’s agenda.

The request to consider Taiwan’s membership application was made by 12 countries, not including the United States, during a two-hour closed-door meeting.

The press office of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta issued a press release following the organization’s decision not to consider its application.

“Even though the Taiwan membership application could not be accepted for the agenda of the 60th World Health Assembly, this is the first time, we, as a sovereign nation and in the name of Taiwan, apply for membership in a U.N. specialized agency. The application became the most visible case of the first day session of the WHA. We, therefore, have to first thank all the diplomats, allies and all the well-intended friends who have helped in trying to work out a solution,” the release said in part.