The World Health Organization has formally acknowledged the United States’ notification of withdrawal, warning that the decision could weaken health security while rejecting the US government’s criticism of the agency’s pandemic record and independence.
The United States was a founding WHO member and has been a major contributor to work on smallpox eradication, polio, HIV, Ebola, influenza, tuberculosis, malaria, antimicrobial resistance and food safety.
Dispute centres on pandemic response
US statements cited alleged WHO failures during COVID-19 and claimed that the agency compromised its independence. WHO responded that it shared available information rapidly, issued evidence-based guidance and respected national governments’ authority to choose their own measures.
The agency pointed to its early actions after China reported pneumonia cases of unknown cause on 31 December 2019. WHO requested more information, activated emergency systems, convened experts and published public-health guidance before declaring a global health emergency on 30 January 2020.
WHO also noted reforms made after multiple reviews of the pandemic response, including changes intended to strengthen international preparedness and round-the-clock alert systems.
Procedural questions arising from the US notice were scheduled for consideration by the WHO Executive Board and the World Health Assembly. WHO said it would continue working with its remaining member states and expressed hope that the United States would eventually resume active participation.