Keypoints:
- WHO says US exit weakens global health safety
- Organisation rejects claims of politicisation
- Governing bodies to review withdrawal notice
THE World Health Organisation (WHO) has expressed deep regret over the United States’ formal notification of withdrawal from the global health body, warning that the decision undermines both American and global health security.
In a strongly worded statement, the UN health agency said the move risks weakening international cooperation at a time when pandemic threats, disease outbreaks and fragile health systems continue to challenge governments worldwide.
‘As a founding member of the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United States of America has contributed significantly to many of WHO’s greatest achievements,’ the organisation said.
It added bluntly that the withdrawal decision ‘makes both the United States and the world less safe’.
US role in global health achievements
The WHO highlighted the historic role played by the United States since the organisation’s creation in 1948, describing Washington as one of its most influential contributors.
American leadership and financing, it said, were central to the eradication of smallpox and major advances against polio, HIV, Ebola, tuberculosis, malaria and other infectious diseases.
According to the organisation, these achievements were only possible through sustained multilateral cooperation rather than unilateral action.
Withdrawal process moves to governing bodies
The WHO confirmed that the US notification will now pass through its formal governance system.
The matter will first be reviewed by the WHO Executive Board at its regular meeting beginning on February 2, before being considered by the World Health Assembly at its annual gathering in May 2026.
‘The notification of withdrawal raises issues that will be considered by the WHO Executive Board at its regular meeting…and by the World Health Assembly at its annual meeting in May 2026,’ the statement said.
Rebutting claims of politicisation
A significant portion of the WHO’s response addressed criticism from the US government, which has accused the organisation of being compromised, politicised and dismissive of American concerns.
‘WHO takes note of statements from the government of the United States that say WHO has “trashed and tarnished” and insulted it, and compromised its independence,’ the statement said.
‘The reverse is true,’ it added.
The organisation stressed that it had consistently engaged with the United States ‘in good faith, with full respect for its sovereignty’, applying the same standards of cooperation to all member states.
Defending the Covid-19 response
The WHO also pushed back against claims that it mishandled the Covid-19 pandemic by delaying information-sharing or concealing early errors.
‘While no organisation or government got everything right, WHO stands by its response to this unprecedented global health crisis,’ it said.
The agency maintained that it acted quickly, shared information transparently and based all guidance on ‘the best available evidence’.
It also rejected allegations that it imposed restrictive public health policies.
‘WHO recommended the use of masks, vaccines and physical distancing, but at no stage recommended mask mandates, vaccine mandates or lockdowns,’ the statement said.
Early warnings and global alerts
Detailing its initial response in China, the WHO said it sought information immediately after receiving reports of a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan on December 31, 2019.
‘By the time the first death was reported from China on 11 January 2020, WHO had already alerted the world through formal channels, public statements and social media,’ it said.
When Covid-19 was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on January 20, 2020, the organisation noted that outside China there were fewer than 100 reported cases and no reported deaths.
During the early stages of the outbreak, WHO leadership repeatedly urged governments to act swiftly, warning that ‘the window of opportunity is closing’ and describing the virus as ‘public enemy number one’.
Hope for future re-engagement
The WHO said it has since strengthened its global surveillance and emergency response systems following multiple independent reviews of the pandemic.
‘The systems we developed and managed before, during and after the emergency phase of the pandemic… have contributed to keeping all countries safe, including the United States,’ it said.
Rejecting claims that it serves hostile political interests, the organisation reaffirmed its impartial mandate to serve all countries ‘without fear or favour’.
Despite the withdrawal notification, the WHO said it remains hopeful that Washington will re-engage, pointing to recent developments such as the adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement and ongoing negotiations on pathogen sharing and equitable access to vaccines and treatments.
‘We hope that in the future, the United States will return to active participation in WHO,’ the statement said, reaffirming its mission to achieve ‘the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental right for all people’.
