The United States will leave the World Health Organization on January 22, 2026, the United Nations said on Thursday, after being formally notified of the decision by US President Donald Trump, who accused the agency of mishandling the pandemic and other international health crises.
Trump announced the move on Monday, hours after being sworn in for a second four-year term. The WHO said on Tuesday it regretted the move by its top donor country.
Trump must give one year's notice of US withdrawal from the Geneva-based body and pay Washington's dues under a 1948 joint resolution of the US Congress.
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The United States is by far the largest financial supporter of OS, contributing about 18 percent of its overall funding. The most recent two-year budget, for 2024-2025, was $6.8 billion. It was not immediately clear how much the United States owes.
“I can confirm that we have now received the letter from the US regarding the withdrawal from the WHO. It is dated January 22, 2025. It would come into effect one year from yesterday, on January 22, 2026,” said UN spokesman Farhan Haq.
The departure of the United States will likely put programs at risk across the organization, according to several experts inside and outside the WHO, particularly those addressing tuberculosis, the world's biggest infectious disease killer, as well as HIV/AIDS and other health emergencies.
The withdrawal order signed by Trump said the administration would stop negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Treaty while the withdrawal is in progress. US government personnel working with the WHO will be recalled and reassigned, and the government will seek partners to take over necessary WHO activities, 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 stopped it on his first day in office on January 20, 2021.