US to depart World Well being Group on Jan. 22, 2026, says UN

By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The US will go away the World Well being Group on Jan. 22, 2026, the United Nations mentioned on Thursday, after being formally notified of the choice by President Donald Trump, who has accused the company of mishandling the pandemic and different worldwide well being crises.

Trump introduced the transfer on Monday, hours after he was sworn in for a second four-year time period. The WHO mentioned on Tuesday that it regretted the transfer from its high donor nation.

Trump should give a one-year discover of U.S. withdrawal from the Geneva-based physique and pay Washington’s dues below a 1948 joint decision of the U.S. Congress.

The US is by far the WHO’s largest monetary backer, contributing round 18% of its total funding. WHO’s most up-to-date two-year price range, for 2024-2025, was $6.8 billion. It was not instantly clear how a lot the U.S. owes.

“I can affirm we have now now acquired the U.S. letter on the WHO withdrawal. It’s dated 22 January 2025. It could take impact a yr from yesterday, on 22 January 2026,” mentioned deputy U.N. spokesperson Farhan Haq.

The U.S. departure will seemingly put in danger applications throughout the group, in keeping with a number of specialists inside and out of doors the WHO, notably these tackling tuberculosis, the world’s largest infectious illness killer, in addition to HIV/AIDS and different well being emergencies.

The withdrawal order signed by Trump mentioned the administration would stop negotiations on the WHO pandemic treaty whereas the withdrawal is in progress. U.S. authorities personnel working with the WHO might be recalled and reassigned, and the federal government will search for companions to take over obligatory WHO actions, in keeping with the order.

Trump’s withdrawal from the WHO was not surprising. He took steps to stop the physique in 2020 throughout his first time period as president. Earlier than the U.S. withdrawal might be accomplished final time, Joe Biden received the presidential election and put a cease to it on his first day in workplace on Jan. 20, 2021.