The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Friday expressed regret over the United States’ notification of its withdrawal from the global health body, warning that the decision would make both the United States and the world “less safe.”
In a statement issued on January 24, WHO said the United States, a founding member of the organization, has played a major role in many of its historic achievements, including the eradication of smallpox and progress against major public health threats such as polio, HIV, Ebola, influenza, tuberculosis, malaria, antimicrobial resistance and food safety.
“WHO therefore regrets the United States’ notification of withdrawal from WHO – a decision that makes both the United States and the world less safe,” the organization said.
WHO noted that the notification raises issues that will be considered by its Executive Board at a regular meeting beginning February 2, and by the World Health Assembly at its annual meeting in May 2026.
The organisation also addressed statements by the U.S. government alleging that WHO had “trashed and tarnished” and insulted the United States, and compromised its independence. “The reverse is true,” WHO said, adding that it has always sought to engage the United States “in good faith, with full respect for its sovereignty,” as it does with all member states.
In its explanation for withdrawing, the United States cited what it described as “WHO failures during the COVID-19 pandemic,” including claims that the organization obstructed the timely and accurate sharing of critical information and later concealed those failures. WHO rejected those assertions.
“While no organisation or government got everything right, WHO stands by its response to this unprecedented global health crisis,” the statement said. WHO maintained that throughout the pandemic it acted quickly, shared information rapidly and transparently, and advised countries based on the best available evidence.
The organization said it recommended the use of masks, vaccines and physical distancing, but “at no stage recommended mask mandates, vaccine mandates or lockdowns,” stressing that such decisions were made by sovereign governments.
WHO detailed its early actions following reports of a cluster of cases of “pneumonia of unknown cause” in Wuhan, China, on December 31, 2019. According to the statement, WHO requested more information from China and activated its emergency incident management system immediately.
By January 11, 2020, when the first death was reported in China, WHO said it had already alerted the world through formal channels, public statements and social media, convened global experts, and issued guidance to countries on protecting populations and health systems. When the WHO Director-General declared COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern on January 30, 2020, there were fewer than 100 reported cases outside China and no reported deaths.
In the early months of the pandemic, the Director-General repeatedly urged countries to take urgent action, warning that “the window of opportunity is closing,” stating “this is not a drill,” and describing COVID-19 as “public enemy number one,” the organization said.
WHO added that it has taken steps to strengthen its own work following multiple reviews of the pandemic response, including assessments of its performance, and has supported countries in improving preparedness and response capacities. It said systems developed and managed before, during and after the emergency phase of the pandemic continue to operate around the clock and have contributed to keeping all countries safe, “including the United States.”
The organization also rejected U.S. claims that WHO has pursued “a politicized, bureaucratic agenda driven by nations hostile to American interests.” WHO said the assertion is “untrue,” emphasizing that as a specialized agency of the United Nations governed by 194 member states, it remains impartial and serves all countries “without fear or favour.”
WHO expressed appreciation for the continued support and engagement of its member states, noting recent progress such as the adoption last year of the WHO Pandemic Agreement. Once ratified, the agreement would become “a landmark instrument of international law” aimed at protecting the world from future pandemics. Member states are also negotiating an annex to the agreement, the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system, intended to promote rapid detection and sharing of pathogens and equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.
“We hope that in the future, the United States will return to active participation in WHO,” the statement said. “Meanwhile, WHO remains steadfastly committed to working with all countries in pursuit of its core mission and constitutional mandate: the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental right for all people.”
