WHO: US withdrawal raises issues to be considered by Executive Board

The World Health Organization has stated that the United States’ notification of withdrawal from the organization is a decision that makes both the United States and the world less safe.

In a statement released on Saturday, the organization who regretted the decision, acknowledged the America’s significant contribution to many of WHO’s greatest achievements, including the eradication of smallpox, and progress against many other public health threats.

It said further that the notification of withdrawal raises issues that will be considered by the Executive Board at its regular meeting starting on 2 February and by the World Health Assembly at its annual meeting in May 2026.

The UN agency noted the statements from the United States that WHO has “trashed and tarnished” and insulted it, and compromised its independence, saying the reverse is true.

“As we do with every Member State, WHO has always sought to engage with the United States in good faith, with full respect for its sovereignty”, it added.

Speaking on one of the reasons for the United States decision to withdraw which is WHO failures of obstructing the timely, accurate sharing of critical information during COVID-19 pandemic, the Agency said no organization or government got everything right, but still stands by its response to this unprecedented global health crisis.
“Throughout the pandemic, WHO acted quickly, shared all information it had rapidly and transparently with the world, and advised Member States on the basis of the best available evidence.

“WHO recommended the use of masks, vaccines and physical distancing, but at no stage recommended mask mandates, vaccine mandates or lockdowns. We supported sovereign governments to make decisions they believed were in the best interests of their people, but the decisions were theirs”.

It added that, “Immediately after receiving the first reports of a cluster of cases of “pneumonia of unknown cause” in Wuhan, China on 31 December 2019, WHO asked China for more information and activated its emergency incident management system.
“By the time the first death was reported from China on 11 January 2020, WHO had already alerted the world through formal channels, public statements and social media, convened global experts, and published comprehensive guidance for countries on how to protect their populations and health systems.

“When the WHO Director-General declared COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern under International Health Regulations on 30 January 2020 – the highest level of alarm under international health law – outside of China there were fewer than 100 reported cases, and no reported deaths”.

WHO explained further, “In the first weeks and months of the pandemic, Director- General urged all countries repeatedly to take immediate action to protect their populations, warning that “the window of opportunity is closing”, “this is not a drill” and describing COVID-19 as “public enemy number one”.
“In response to the multiple reviews of the COVID-19 pandemic, including of WHO’s performance, WHO has taken steps to strengthen its own work, and to support countries to bolster their own pandemic preparedness and response capacities.

“The systems we developed and managed before, during and after the emergency phase of the pandemic, and which run 24/7, have contributed to keeping all countries safe, including the United States.

“The United States also said in its statements that WHO has “pursued a politicized, bureaucratic agenda driven by nations hostile to American interests”.

“This is untrue. As a specialized agency of the United Nations, governed by 194 Member States, WHO has always been and remains impartial and exists to serve all countries, with respect for sovereignty, and without fear or favour”, WHO responded.
The WHao appreciated the support and continued engagement of all its Member States, which continue to work within the framework of the organization to pursue solutions to the world’s biggest health threats, both communicable and noncommunicable.

It stated that WHO Member States last year adopted WHO Pandemic Agreement, which once ratified become a landmark instrument of international law to keep the world safer from future pandemics.

“Member States are now negotiating an annex to the WHO Pandemic Agreement, the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system, which if adopted will promote rapid detection and sharing of pathogens with pandemic potential, and equitable and timely access to vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics”.

WHO hoped that in the nearest future, the US will return to active participation in the organization while remains steadfastly committed to working with countries in pursuit of its core mission, constitutional mandate which is the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental right for all people.