The World Health Organization has expressed profound regret following the formal notification by the United States of America regarding its intention to withdraw from the global health body. As a founding member of the organization, the United States has historically contributed significantly to many of the WHO’s most celebrated and impactful public health achievements over the decades. These collaborative milestones include the historic eradication of smallpox, as well as substantial, ongoing progress against a wide array of persistent global public health threats such as polio, HIV, Ebola, influenza, tuberculosis, malaria, neglected tropical diseases, antimicrobial resistance, food safety, and numerous other health crises that affect populations worldwide.
Organization officials noted that this formal notification of withdrawal is a momentous development that unfortunately makes both the United States and the broader global community less safe. The procedural notice raises complex legal, administrative, and strategic issues that will be thoroughly examined and considered by the WHO Executive Board at its upcoming regular meeting, which is scheduled to start on February 2. Furthermore, the matter will be brought before the wider membership during the annual meeting of the World Health Assembly in May 2026.
In addressing the unfolding diplomatic situation, the WHO has taken careful note of recent statements issued by the government of the United States. These American statements asserted that the organization has "trashed and tarnished" and insulted the nation, while also allegedly compromising its institutional independence. The WHO firmly maintains that the exact reverse is true. In its interactions with Washington, just as it does with every single one of its Member States, the organization has consistently sought to engage with the United States in absolute good faith, while maintaining full and unwavering respect for its national sovereignty.
Within its official statements explaining the decision, the United States cited several core grievances, prominently highlighting alleged "WHO failures during the COVID-19 pandemic." Specifically, Washington accused the organization of "obstructing the timely and accurate sharing of critical information" and further claimed that the WHO "concealed those failures." While the agency acknowledges that no single organization, institution, or national government managed to get every single aspect of the crisis right during a once-in-a-century event, the WHO firmly stands by its comprehensive response to the unprecedented global health emergency.
Throughout the duration of the pandemic, the organization insists it acted swiftly, sharing all the information at its disposal rapidly and transparently with the global community. Furthermore, it advised Member States strictly on the basis of the best available scientific evidence. The WHO actively recommended the practical use of protective measures such as masks, vaccines, and physical distancing, but leadership emphasizes that at no stage did the agency recommend mandatory mask mandates, mandatory vaccine policies, or sweeping national lockdowns. Instead, the WHO supported sovereign governments around the world so they could make the specific policy decisions they believed were in the best interests of their respective populations, leaving the final enforcement and execution entirely in the hands of national authorities.
Recalling the timeline of the initial outbreak, the organization pointed out that immediately after receiving the first reports detailing a cluster of cases involving "pneumonia of unknown cause" in Wuhan, China, on December 31, 2019, the WHO proactively asked Chinese authorities for more detailed information and simultaneously activated its emergency incident management system. By the time the very first tragic death was officially reported from China on January 11, 2020, the WHO had already alerted the entire world through formal diplomatic channels, public statements, and social media platforms. In addition, the agency had convened global health experts and published comprehensive, actionable guidance designed to help countries protect their local populations and domestic health systems.
When the WHO Director-General formally declared COVID-19 to be a public health emergency of international concern under the International Health Regulations on January 30, 2020—representing the highest possible level of institutional alarm under international health law—the situation on the ground outside of China involved fewer than 100 reported cases and zero reported deaths globally. During those critical first weeks and months of the unfolding global emergency, the Director-General repeatedly urged all national governments worldwide to take immediate, decisive action to protect their populations. He issued stark warnings, declaring that "the window of opportunity is closing" and that "this is not a drill," while famously describing COVID-19 as "public enemy number one."
In response to the multiple independent and institutional reviews of the COVID-19 pandemic that followed, including evaluations focused specifically on the WHO’s operational performance, the organization has taken concrete steps to strengthen its own internal mechanisms. It has also worked diligently to support countries worldwide in bolstering their own domestic pandemic preparedness and response capacities. The robust systems that the organization developed and managed before, during, and after the acute emergency phase of the pandemic—systems that continue to operate around the clock, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—have actively contributed to keeping all countries safe, including the United States.
The United States government also asserted in its statements that the WHO has "pursued a politicized, bureaucratic agenda driven by nations hostile to American interests." The organization categorically rejects this characterization as entirely untrue. As a specialized agency of the United Nations that is governed collectively by 194 Member States, the WHO has always operated impartially and continues to do so today. Its fundamental purpose is to serve all countries equally, maintaining deep respect for their national sovereignty while operating without fear or favor toward any particular geopolitical bloc.
Despite the withdrawal notice, the organization expressed deep appreciation for the steadfast support and continued active engagement of all its other Member States. These nations continue to work collaboratively within the established framework of the WHO to pursue practical, sustainable solutions to the world’s most pressing health threats, encompassing both communicable and noncommunicable diseases. Most notably, Member States adopted the landmark WHO Pandemic Agreement last year. Once fully ratified, this historic instrument of international law is designed to keep the world significantly safer from future pandemics. Furthermore, Member States are currently engaged in delicate negotiations regarding an annex to the agreement, known as the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system. If successfully adopted, this system will promote the rapid detection and sharing of pathogens with pandemic potential, alongside ensuring equitable and timely access to essential vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics for all populations.
Concluding its official response, the organization stated its sincere hope that in the future, the United States will choose to return to active, collaborative participation within the WHO. In the meantime, the World Health Organization remains steadfastly and resolutely committed to working alongside every nation across the globe in tireless pursuit of its core institutional mission and foundational constitutional mandate: achieving the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental, non-negotiable human right for all people everywhere.
