The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed regret over the United States’ formal notification of withdrawal from the global health body, warning the decision would make both the US and the world less safe.
In a statement, WHO said the United States, as a founding member of the organization, had made significant contributions to many of its major achievements, including the eradication of smallpox and progress against a range of public health threats such as polio, HIV, Ebola, influenza, tuberculosis, malaria, neglected tropical diseases, antimicrobial resistance and food safety.
WHO said the notification of withdrawal raised issues that would be reviewed by its Executive Board at a regular meeting starting on February 2, and later by the World Health Assembly at its annual meeting in May 2026.
Responding to US allegations that WHO had “trashed and tarnished” the country and compromised its independence, the organization rejected the claims, saying it had always engaged with the United States in good faith and with full respect for its sovereignty.
In explaining its decision, the United States cited what it described as “WHO failures during the COVID-19 pandemic,” including allegations that the organization obstructed the timely and accurate sharing of critical information and later concealed those failures.
WHO said that while no organization or government responded perfectly to the unprecedented global health crisis, it stood by its handling of the pandemic.
Throughout the emergency, the organization said it acted swiftly, shared all available information transparently with the global community and issued guidance to member states based on the best available scientific evidence.
The organization clarified that although it recommended the use of masks, vaccines and physical distancing, it never advised mask mandates, vaccine mandates or lockdowns, stressing that such decisions were made by sovereign governments.
According to WHO, it sought further information from China and activated its emergency incident management system immediately after receiving reports of a cluster of pneumonia cases of unknown cause in Wuhan on December 31, 2019.
By the time China reported the first COVID-19-related death on January 11, 2020, WHO said it had already alerted countries worldwide through formal channels, public statements and social media, convened global experts, and issued comprehensive guidance on protecting populations and health 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 under international health regulations—there were fewer than 100 reported cases and no deaths outside China, the organization noted.
WHO also dismissed US claims that it pursued a politicized agenda driven by countries hostile to American interests, saying that as a specialized agency of the United Nations governed by 194 member states, it remained impartial and committed to serving all countries equally.
The organization said it had strengthened its systems following multiple reviews of the pandemic response and continued to support countries in improving preparedness and response capacities, benefiting all nations, including the United States.
WHO highlighted the adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement by member states last year, describing it as a landmark international legal instrument aimed at preventing future pandemics.
Negotiations are ongoing on an annex covering pathogen access and benefit sharing to ensure equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics and treatments.
WHO said it hoped the United States would eventually resume active participation, reaffirming its commitment to its constitutional mandate of achieving the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right for all.
This comes as the White House said on January 8 that President Donald Trump had signed a memorandum under which the United States would withdraw from 66 international organizations that, according to Washington, no longer serve America’s interests.
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