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As reported by Reuters, this was stated by the UN after receiving an official notification of this decision from US President Donald Trump, Ukrinform reports.
"I can confirm that we have received a letter from the US to withdraw from the WHO. It is dated January 22, 2025. It will take effect one year from yesterday, January 22, 2026," said UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq.
Trump was supposed to announce the US withdrawal from the WHO within a year and pay Washington's contributions in accordance with the joint resolution of the US Congress from 1948.
The withdrawal order signed by Trump states that the administration is suspending negotiations on the WHO pandemic response agreement while the withdrawal process continues. U.S. government personnel working with the WHO will be recalled and reassigned, and the government will seek partners to take over the WHO’s essential work.
The United States is currently the largest financial donor to the WHO, accounting for about 18% of its funding. The WHO's most recent biennial budget for 2024-2025 was $6,8 billion.
The WHO then expressed hope that the US would reconsider its decision.
In 2020, Trump initiated the United States' withdrawal from the WHO over the spread of COVID-19, accusing the organization of being under Chinese control. But the process was not completed, and new President Joe Biden restored relations immediately after taking office.
Photo: Fabrice Coffrini / Contributor / Getty Images
