The World Health Organization (WHO) has formally expressed its deep regret following the United States’ notification of its intent to withdraw from the international body. As a founding member of the organization, the United States has historically played a pivotal role in shaping global public health, contributing significantly to monumental achievements such as the global eradication of smallpox and making substantial progress in the fight against polio, HIV, Ebola, influenza, tuberculosis, and malaria. Furthermore, the U.S. has been instrumental in global efforts to address neglected tropical diseases, the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance, and the advancement of international food safety standards.
The notification of withdrawal, which has sent shockwaves through the global health community, represents a significant geopolitical shift. WHO officials have stated that this decision serves to make both the United States and the broader global community less secure. The formal notification process has triggered a series of procedural requirements; the specific issues raised by the withdrawal will be considered by the WHO Executive Board at its regular meeting scheduled to begin on February 2, and subsequently by the World Health Assembly during its annual meeting in May 2026.
The decision by the United States to exit the organization follows a period of intense public criticism from American government officials, who have alleged that the WHO has "trashed and tarnished" the U.S. government, insulted its leadership, and compromised the organization’s own independence. In an official response, the WHO has categorically rejected these characterizations, asserting that the reverse is true. The organization maintains that it has consistently sought to engage with the United States in good faith, upholding the same standards of professional conduct and respect for national sovereignty that it applies to every one of its 194 Member States.
Central to the United States’ justification for the withdrawal is the assertion that the WHO suffered from critical failures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, U.S. officials have accused the organization of "obstructing the timely and accurate sharing of critical information" and attempting to "conceal those failures." The WHO, while acknowledging that no organization or government navigated the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic without error, stands firmly by its performance and its response to the global health crisis. Throughout the duration of the pandemic, the WHO maintains that it acted with urgency, sharing available information as rapidly and transparently as possible, and providing guidance based on the best available scientific evidence.
The organization has also moved to clarify its stance on public health measures, noting that while it recommended the use of masks, vaccines, and physical distancing to mitigate the spread of the virus, it never at any stage issued recommendations for mandatory mask mandates, vaccine mandates, or lockdowns. The WHO emphasized that it supported the rights of sovereign governments to make decisions they deemed to be in the best interests of their respective populations, noting that the ultimate responsibility for those domestic policy decisions rested with national leaders.
A timeline of the WHO’s early response to the pandemic highlights the urgency with which the organization acted upon receiving the first reports of a cluster of "pneumonia of unknown cause" in Wuhan, China, on December 31, 2019. Upon receiving this intelligence, the WHO immediately requested further information from Chinese authorities and activated its emergency incident management system. By January 11, 2020—the date the first death was reported in China—the WHO had already alerted the international community through its formal reporting channels, public statements, and social media platforms. The organization convened global experts and published comprehensive guidance for countries to fortify their populations and healthcare systems.
When the WHO Director-General declared COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern on January 30, 2020—the highest level of alarm permitted under international health law—there were fewer than 100 reported cases and zero reported deaths outside of China. Throughout the initial months of the crisis, the Director-General repeatedly urged nations to take immediate, decisive action to protect their citizens, warning consistently that "the window of opportunity is closing," emphasizing that "this is not a drill," and labeling COVID-19 as "public enemy number one."
In the years since the acute phase of the pandemic, the WHO has undergone multiple internal and external reviews of its performance. In response to these findings, the organization has implemented significant reforms to strengthen its operations and support Member States in bolstering their own pandemic preparedness and response capacities. The systems developed and managed by the WHO, which operate on a 24/7 basis, remain critical to global security, including the security of the United States.
Addressing the U.S. claim that the WHO has "pursued a politicized, bureaucratic agenda driven by nations hostile to American interests," the organization has labeled the accusation as untrue. As a specialized agency of the United Nations governed by 194 Member States, the WHO asserts that it has remained and will continue to remain an impartial entity. Its mission, according to the organization, is to serve all countries with respect for their sovereignty, operating without fear or favor.
The WHO continues to emphasize the importance of multilateral cooperation, expressing its appreciation for the ongoing support and engagement of the vast majority of its Member States. These nations continue to work within the WHO framework to devise solutions to the world’s most pressing communicable and noncommunicable health threats. A major milestone in this collaborative effort was the adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement last year. Once ratified, this landmark instrument of international law is expected to serve as a cornerstone in keeping the world safer from future pandemics.
Furthermore, Member States are currently engaged in the negotiation of an annex to the Pandemic 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, while ensuring equitable and timely access to essential vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostic tools.
Despite the current friction with the United States, the WHO has expressed a sincere hope that the country will return to active participation in the organization in the future. In the interim, the WHO has pledged to remain steadfastly committed to working with all nations in the pursuit of its core constitutional mandate: ensuring the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right for every individual across the globe. The organization remains focused on its operational responsibilities, continuing its work on disease surveillance, health systems strengthening, and the global promotion of health equity, even as it navigates the complexities of the current diplomatic situation. The upcoming meetings of the Executive Board and the World Health Assembly will serve as the next venues for these critical discussions, providing a space for the international community to deliberate on the future of global health governance.
