The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) criticized the United States, stating that the reasons cited for its withdrawal from the WHO are false. The WHO chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, expressed concerns on a social media platform, emphasizing that this decision would compromise global safety.
The United States, which announced its withdrawal from the WHO a year ago, has not settled its outstanding membership dues, as confirmed by a WHO press official. The USA has failed to pay the invoiced amounts for its assessed contributions for the biennium 2024-2025, raising financial concerns within the organization.
Reportedly, the overdue sum owed by the United States amounts to approximately 278 million US dollars, according to a recent National Public Radio (NPR) report. The formal withdrawal process of the United States from the WHO is scheduled for discussion during the upcoming Executive Board meeting, with the WHO Secretariat following guidance from governing bodies.
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 20, 2025, to initiate the country’s withdrawal from the WHO, with the United Nations formally receiving the notice two days later. Per the WHO’s charter, the withdrawal becomes effective one year after the notification is given, marking the end of US membership in the global health body.
In a joint statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the formal withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization. The Trump administration’s decision, executed through an executive order, aimed to release the US from what they perceived as limitations imposed by the organization.
