WHO statement on notification of withdrawal of the United States-of-withdrawal-of-the-united-states

26th January 2026

Summary: The United States officially completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization on 22 January 2026, ending its membership after being a founding member and the agency’s largest contributor for nearly eight decades. The WHO has noted receipt of the US notification and continues to work within the remaining membership to fulfil its public-health mission, even as it regrets the departure and hopes for continued collaboration where possible. The US government, in turn, has stated that it will cease funding and staffing WHO initiatives and instead pursue direct bilateral and multilateral health partnerships outside of WHO structures, citing concerns about WHO’s handling of past global health challenges and political influence. This change marks the first withdrawal in WHO’s history and has significant implications for global health cooperation, surveillance and emergency response frameworks.

Link: https://www.who.int/news/item/24-01-2026-who-statement-on-notification-of-withdrawal-of-the-united-states

Back to Recent News