The United States has formally withdrawn from the World Health Organisation (WHO), with the White House citing concerns over the global health agency’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and its failure to carry out what it described as essential reforms.
In a statement released on Thursday, the US government said the decision followed longstanding complaints about WHO’s transparency, independence, and overall response to the coronavirus outbreak.
According to a joint statement by the US Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of State, the move was influenced by what they termed the organisation’s “mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic that originated in Wuhan, China.”
The statement further accused the WHO of failing to implement urgently needed reforms and of being overly influenced by political interests from its member states.
“The organisation’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from inappropriate political influence informed this decision,” the statement read.
The White House disclosed that the withdrawal process officially commenced on January 20, 2025, following an announcement by US President Donald Trump expressing the country’s intention to leave the global health body.
Over the following months, the United States gradually stopped its financial contributions to the WHO, recalled its personnel, and redirected programmes previously coordinated through the organisation to direct partnerships with other nations and institutions.
US Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., alongside Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, confirmed that Washington would maintain only minimal engagement with the WHO to complete the withdrawal process.
They noted that the US would “coordinate with the WHO solely in a limited capacity to finalise its exit.”
US Criticises WHO’s Early COVID-19 Actions
The White House also faulted the WHO for what it described as delays in declaring COVID-19 a global public health emergency and later a pandemic, arguing that the delay cost the international community crucial response time.
“WHO’s delay in declaring a public health emergency and pandemic cost the world critical weeks as the virus spread,” the statement said.
US officials further accused the organisation’s leadership of publicly commending China’s response to the outbreak, despite claims of early underreporting, suppression of information, and delays in confirming human-to-human transmission.
The statement added that the WHO downplayed the risks of asymptomatic transmission and was slow to acknowledge airborne transmission of the virus.
The US also criticised the WHO’s post-pandemic reforms, particularly its report on the possible origins of COVID-19.
According to the White House, the report ruled out the possibility of a laboratory-related origin, despite China’s refusal to release genetic data from early cases or provide detailed information about laboratory activities and biosafety standards in Wuhan.
WHO Reacts, Urges US To Reconsider
In response, the WHO revealed that the United States had not paid its membership dues for 2024 and 2025, which total approximately $260 million.
The organisation said discussions regarding the US withdrawal would take place during its executive board meeting in February, while acknowledging that it lacks the authority to block a member state’s exit.
WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, expressed disappointment over the decision and appealed to the US to reconsider.
“I hope that the United States will reconsider its decision and rejoin WHO. This withdrawal is a loss not only for the US but for the global community,” he said, adding that global health cooperation is built on solidarity rather than financial contributions alone.
Despite leaving the WHO, the White House assured that the United States would continue to play a significant role in global health through direct collaboration with other countries, non-governmental organisations, private sector partners, and faith-based groups.
According to the administration, the focus will remain on emergency preparedness, biosecurity coordination, and health innovation both within the US and internationally.