The United States will leave World Health Organization January 22, 2026, the United Nations said on Thursday, after being officially informed of the US president’s decision Donald Trumpwhich accused the agency of mishandling the pandemic and other international health crises.
Trump announced the move Monday, hours after he was sworn in for a second four-year term. The WHO said Tuesday it regretted the move from its top donor country.
Trump must give one year’s notice of U.S. withdrawal from the Geneva-based body and pay Washington’s dues under a 1948 joint resolution of the U.S. Congress.
Get weekly health news
Get the latest medical news and health news delivered to you every Sunday.
The United States is by far the WHO’s largest financial backer, contributing approximately 18% of its overall funding. The WHO’s most recent two-year budget, for 2024-2025, was $6.8 billion. It was not immediately clear how much the United States owed.
“I can confirm that we have now received the US letter on WHO withdrawal. It is dated January 22, 2025. It would take effect one year from yesterday, January 22, 2026,” said UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq.
The U.S. departure will likely put programs at risk across the organization, according to several experts inside and outside the WHO, including those tackling tuberculosis, the world’s biggest infectious disease killer. world, as well as HIV/AIDS and other health emergencies.
The withdrawal order signed by Trump said the administration would cease negotiations on the WHO pandemic treaty while the withdrawal is underway. U.S. government personnel working with WHO will be recalled and reassigned, and the government will seek partners to resume necessary activities at WHO, according to the order.
Trump’s withdrawal from the WHO was not unexpected. He took steps to leave the body in 2020 during his first term as president. Before the US withdrawal could be completed last time, Joe Biden won the presidential election and ended his first day in office on January 20, 2021.
