Department of Research, Studies and International News 24-01-2025

The United Nations has officially acknowledged the United States’ intention to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), with the departure scheduled to take effect in January 2026. This decision, initiated under the directive of President Donald Trump, comes alongside a suspension of U.S. financial contributions to the global health agency, a move that experts warn will have profound implications for international health efforts.

Formal Notification of Withdrawal

UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq confirmed on Thursday that the United States has submitted a formal letter, dated January 22, 2025, notifying the UN of its decision to exit the WHO. According to established protocols, the withdrawal will take one year to come into effect, marking January 22, 2026, as the official date of departure. Haq stated, “The United Nations has now received the U.S. communication regarding its intent to withdraw from the WHO, and the procedural timeline is in motion.”

This step aligns with Trump’s first-day presidential pledge to sever ties with the WHO and terminate all future funding. The decision also involves recalling U.S. personnel from WHO-related assignments and ceasing participation in the organization’s ongoing negotiations for a global treaty aimed at managing future pandemics.

Financial Impact on the WHO

As the largest contributor to the WHO, the United States’ departure will significantly impact the organization’s operations. Between 2024 and 2025, U.S. contributions accounted for approximately 18% of the WHO’s budget, amounting to $261 million. This funding gap will pose challenges to addressing global health crises, including tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and pandemic preparedness. China, the second-largest donor, contributed $181 million during the same period, underscoring the financial void that the U.S. exit will create.

President Trump has been a vocal critic of the WHO, accusing the organization of mishandling the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. During his first term, Trump initiated a similar withdrawal in July 2020. However, that effort was reversed by President Joe Biden upon taking office in January 2021. Trump’s renewed decision to disengage follows his longstanding critique of the WHO and its handling of critical health crises.

The WHO, in response to the announcement, expressed regret over the U.S.’s decision, emphasizing the organization’s role in safeguarding global health, including the well-being of American citizens. “We hope the United States will reconsider and remain a vital partner,” the WHO stated. “Our mission to protect global health depends on collaboration and shared responsibility.”

Legal and Political Challenges

The U.S.’s decision to withdraw from the WHO raises legal and procedural questions. The country joined the organization in 1948 through Congressional approval, which may complicate Trump’s unilateral move to exit. Legal scholars argue that Congress must be involved in any decision to sever ties. Lawrence Gostin, director of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University, criticized the move, calling it a “catastrophic decision” that warrants judicial and legislative scrutiny. Gostin hinted at potential legal challenges, noting, “As director of a WHO Center, I am seriously considering a lawsuit to contest this decision.”

Experts warn that the U.S.’s departure from the WHO could undermine global health security and weaken coordinated responses to health emergencies. The decision also risks diminishing the U.S.’s influence in international health governance, ceding greater leadership opportunities to other nations.

As the clock counts down to the official withdrawal date in 2026, the international community is left grappling with the far-reaching consequences of this pivotal decision. Stakeholders across the political and health sectors will likely continue to debate its implications and explore potential avenues to mitigate its impact.