WHO statement on notification of withdrawal of the United States

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Published: 2026-09-17T08:21:32.243Z • Permanent link

The decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) was made by the United States government, which has not publicly disclosed the individual responsible for this notification. However, reports indicate that the decision was made by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who had previously expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the WHO in addressing global health crises. The notification was sent to the WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and is believed to have been made last week. The WHO has confirmed the receipt of the notification and has announced that it will convene an emergency meeting of the Executive Board to discuss the implications of the withdrawal.

Key stakeholders in the global health community have expressed disappointment and concern about the US withdrawal, citing the critical role that the WHO plays in coordinating international responses to health crises. The WHO has a long history of working with governments, health organizations, and research institutions to develop and implement global health policies, including those related to infectious disease control and prevention. The US has historically been a key player in these efforts, but its withdrawal from the WHO is likely to have significant implications for global health security.

Reports indicate that the US withdrawal was prompted by concerns about the WHO's governance structure and its perceived bias towards certain countries. Some critics have argued that the WHO is too focused on addressing the needs of wealthy countries, while neglecting the health needs of poorer nations. The US has also expressed concerns about the WHO's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, including its initial response to the outbreak and its efforts to coordinate a global response to the crisis.

The US withdrawal from the WHO has significant implications for the global health community, particularly in terms of the development and distribution of vaccines and medical supplies. The WHO is a critical player in the development and distribution of vaccines, and its withdrawal is likely to disrupt the global supply chain for these essential products. Companies such as Pfizer and Moderna, which have developed and distributed COVID-19 vaccines, are likely to be impacted by the US withdrawal, as they rely heavily on the WHO's guidance and coordination to ensure the safe and effective distribution of their products.

The US withdrawal also has implications for research communities, who rely on the WHO's funding and support to conduct research on global health issues. The WHO has historically provided significant funding for research on infectious diseases, and its withdrawal is likely to reduce the availability of funding for research in this area. This could have significant implications for the development of new treatments and vaccines for diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis.

The US withdrawal from the WHO is part of a larger pattern of skepticism towards international institutions and global governance. This skepticism has been fueled by concerns about the effectiveness of these institutions in addressing global challenges, as well as concerns about the influence of powerful countries on global policies. The WHO is not the only international institution to be impacted by this trend, as countries such as China and Russia have also expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of global governance.