Global Leaders Urge U.S. to Reconsider WHO Withdrawal Decision

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has urged global leaders to put pressure on the United States to reconsider Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the UN health agency.

During a closed-door meeting with diplomats, Tedros warned that this decision could result in the U.S. losing access to critical information regarding global disease outbreaks, which could pose a serious challenge to public health.

U.S. Funding and Its Impact on WHO

The United States has been the largest financial contributor to WHO. In the 2024-25 fiscal year, the U.S. provided $988 million, making up 14% of the organization’s $6.9 billion budget.

WHO’s Finance Director George Kyriakou stated that if current spending levels continue, the organization could face a severe financial crisis by the first half of 2026.

Potential Consequences of U.S. Withdrawal

The U.S. government has already directed its officials to immediately cease cooperation with WHO. As a result, several health programs and key positions within WHO may face funding cuts.

Tedros urged WHO member states to continue engaging in talks with Washington, stating, “We hope that other countries will step up their contributions to help fill this funding gap.”

U.S. Withdrawal to Take Effect in 2026

The formal U.S. withdrawal is set to take effect on January 22, 2026. However, the current administration has already severed ties with WHO.

It is worth noting that when the U.S. first halted funding in 2020, Germany stepped in as the largest donor. If the U.S. exits permanently, other nations will face increased financial burdens.

Uncertain Future for WHO

WHO’s 194 member states contribute financially based on their economic capacity. However, with the U.S. pulling out, the organization’s financial stability and its ability to respond to global health crises could be severely affected.