Washington: The United States is preparing to officially withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday, a move that has raised concerns about its potential impact on both U.S. and global public health systems. The decision, set to take effect following President Donald Trump's executive order, comes amid warnings that it may violate U.S. law, which requires the payment of $260 million in outstanding debts to the UN health agency before withdrawal.
According to Thai News Agency, President Trump had announced his intention to withdraw from the WHO on his first day in office for his second term in 2025. The withdrawal process under U.S. law necessitates a one-year notice alongside the settlement of all outstanding fees. A U.S. State Department spokesperson reiterated that the president chose to halt future funding and support to the WHO, citing the economic damage caused by the organization's failure to manage and share information effectively.
Throughout the past year, calls for the United States to reconsider its decision have been made by global health experts, including WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. In a recent press conference, Tedros emphasized that the U.S. withdrawal signifies a loss for both the United States and other countries worldwide.
The WHO disclosed that the United States has not settled its 2024 and 2025 fees. The WHO Executive Board plans to address the U.S. withdrawal situation and formulate a response during its meeting in February. The absence of U.S. support, typically the largest contributor to the WHO's budget, has led to a severe budget crisis, prompting the organization to downsize its executive team and reduce operations. Additionally, the WHO is preparing to lay off about one-quarter of its staff by mid-year due to the funding shortfall.