WORLD
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WHO Says U.S. Withdrawal Makes The World 'Less Safe'
Photo credit: WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially responded to the United States’ announcement that it will withdraw from the global health body — calling the decision a major setback for both the U.S. and the world.
In a statement released after the U.S. notified WHO of its withdrawal, the organization said it regrets the decision and warned that it will make “both the United States and the world less safe.”
The notification is scheduled to be reviewed by the WHO Executive Board on February 2, and later by the World Health Assembly in May 2026.
WHO: U.S. Has Been a Key Partner
WHO highlighted the long history of cooperation between the U.S. and the organization, noting that the U.S. is a founding member and a major contributor to major global health achievements such as:
• the eradication of smallpox
• progress in fighting polio, HIV, Ebola, tuberculosis, malaria, and more
WHO added that it has always worked with the U.S. in good faith, while respecting its sovereignty.
WHO Pushes Back Against U.S. Claims About COVID
The U.S. has criticized WHO for what it called “failures during the COVID-19 pandemic,” including accusations that the organization “obstructed the timely and accurate sharing of critical information” and “concealed those failures.”
WHO responded by saying it stands by its response to the pandemic and insisted it acted quickly and transparently.
The organization emphasized that it:
• alerted the world as early as December 31, 2019
• activated emergency response systems immediately
• published guidance and convened experts
• declared COVID-19 a public health emergency on January 30, 2020
WHO also noted that it never recommended lockdowns, mask mandates, or vaccine mandates, but instead supported countries in making decisions based on their own circumstances.
WHO Highlights Early Actions
WHO’s statement also pointed out early actions taken during the pandemic, including:
• asking China for more information after reports of a “pneumonia of unknown cause”
• issuing public warnings and alerts before the first death was reported
• urging countries to act quickly, warning that “the window of opportunity is closing”
• calling COVID-19 “public enemy number one”
WHO Says It Remains Neutral
The U.S. also claimed WHO pursued a “politicized, bureaucratic agenda driven by nations hostile to American interests.”
WHO rejected this, stating that as a UN agency governed by 194 member states, it remains impartial and “serves all countries without fear or favour.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the withdrawal, WHO said it remains committed to working with all nations and highlighted recent progress, including the adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement last year.
The agreement, once ratified, aims to strengthen global pandemic preparedness. Negotiations are also underway for an annex called the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system — designed to improve rapid pathogen detection and ensure fair access to vaccines and treatments.
WHO Still Wants the U.S. Back
WHO ended its statement with a clear message: it hopes the U.S. will return to active participation in the future.
For now, WHO said it will continue pursuing its mission: ensuring the highest attainable standard of health for all people as a fundamental right.
In a statement released after the U.S. notified WHO of its withdrawal, the organization said it regrets the decision and warned that it will make “both the United States and the world less safe.”
The notification is scheduled to be reviewed by the WHO Executive Board on February 2, and later by the World Health Assembly in May 2026.
WHO: U.S. Has Been a Key Partner
WHO highlighted the long history of cooperation between the U.S. and the organization, noting that the U.S. is a founding member and a major contributor to major global health achievements such as:
• the eradication of smallpox
• progress in fighting polio, HIV, Ebola, tuberculosis, malaria, and more
WHO added that it has always worked with the U.S. in good faith, while respecting its sovereignty.
WHO Pushes Back Against U.S. Claims About COVID
The U.S. has criticized WHO for what it called “failures during the COVID-19 pandemic,” including accusations that the organization “obstructed the timely and accurate sharing of critical information” and “concealed those failures.”
WHO responded by saying it stands by its response to the pandemic and insisted it acted quickly and transparently.
The organization emphasized that it:
• alerted the world as early as December 31, 2019
• activated emergency response systems immediately
• published guidance and convened experts
• declared COVID-19 a public health emergency on January 30, 2020
WHO also noted that it never recommended lockdowns, mask mandates, or vaccine mandates, but instead supported countries in making decisions based on their own circumstances.
WHO Highlights Early Actions
WHO’s statement also pointed out early actions taken during the pandemic, including:
• asking China for more information after reports of a “pneumonia of unknown cause”
• issuing public warnings and alerts before the first death was reported
• urging countries to act quickly, warning that “the window of opportunity is closing”
• calling COVID-19 “public enemy number one”
WHO Says It Remains Neutral
The U.S. also claimed WHO pursued a “politicized, bureaucratic agenda driven by nations hostile to American interests.”
WHO rejected this, stating that as a UN agency governed by 194 member states, it remains impartial and “serves all countries without fear or favour.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the withdrawal, WHO said it remains committed to working with all nations and highlighted recent progress, including the adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement last year.
The agreement, once ratified, aims to strengthen global pandemic preparedness. Negotiations are also underway for an annex called the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system — designed to improve rapid pathogen detection and ensure fair access to vaccines and treatments.
WHO Still Wants the U.S. Back
WHO ended its statement with a clear message: it hopes the U.S. will return to active participation in the future.
For now, WHO said it will continue pursuing its mission: ensuring the highest attainable standard of health for all people as a fundamental right.
Jan 26, 2026
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