The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed deep regret over the United States’ notification of withdrawal, emphasizing that the country has played a major role as a founding member in many of WHO’s most significant public health achievements. These include the eradication of smallpox and major advances in combating diseases and health threats such as polio, HIV, Ebola, influenza, tuberculosis, malaria, neglected tropical diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and food safety challenges. WHO warned that the U.S. decision to withdraw would make both the United States and the wider world less safe, and noted that the issue will be formally reviewed by the WHO Executive Board in February and by the World Health Assembly in May 2026.
In its statement, WHO strongly rejected accusations from the U.S. government that the organization had damaged or insulted the country or compromised its independence. WHO said it has always engaged with the United States in good faith and with full respect for national sovereignty, just as it does with all of its 194 Member States. The organization also rejected claims that it has followed a politicized agenda or acted in ways hostile to U.S. interests, stressing that it remains an impartial specialized agency of the United Nations that serves all countries without fear or favour.
A major reason cited by the United States for its withdrawal was dissatisfaction with WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, WHO defended its actions during the crisis, acknowledging that no government or organization handled every aspect perfectly but insisting that it acted quickly, transparently, and based on the best available scientific evidence. WHO said it rapidly shared the information it received, issued guidance to countries, and advised on measures such as masks, vaccines, and physical distancing. At the same time, it clarified that it never recommended mask mandates, vaccine mandates, or lockdowns, and that such decisions were made independently by sovereign governments.
The statement outlines WHO’s early response to COVID-19, noting that it requested more information from China immediately after receiving reports of unexplained pneumonia cases in Wuhan on 31 December 2019 and activated its emergency management system. By the time the first death was reported on 11 January 2020, WHO said it had already alerted the global community, convened experts, and published guidance for countries. It also highlighted that when the Director-General declared COVID-19 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 30 January 2020, there were fewer than 100 reported cases and no deaths outside China, showing that the organization had sounded the highest level of alarm early in the outbreak.
WHO further noted that it has learned from the many reviews conducted on the pandemic, including assessments of its own performance, and has since taken steps to strengthen its systems and support countries in improving pandemic preparedness and response. It said the global health systems it developed and managed before, during, and after the emergency continue to help protect all countries, including the United States. WHO also pointed to ongoing international cooperation, including the adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement by Member States and current negotiations on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system, as examples of how countries are working together to improve future global health security.
The article concludes by reaffirming WHO’s appreciation for the continued support of its Member States and its commitment to working with all countries to address both communicable and noncommunicable health threats. While expressing hope that the United States may eventually return to active participation, WHO stressed that it will remain focused on its core mission of promoting the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental right for all people.
