WHO responds to US withdrawal: The world is less safe
In a new escalation of tensions between the UN and the United States, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, rejected the justifications put forward by Washington for its decision to withdraw from the organization, describing them as "incorrect," and warning at the same time that this step will make the world and the United States itself "less safe" in the face of future health challenges.
A firm response to the American accusations
In an official post on the X platform, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed his deep regret over the US decision, asserting that the stated reasons for the withdrawal were untrue. The UN official emphasized that the World Health Organization "has always treated the United States and all member states with full respect for their national sovereignty," thus refuting accusations that the organization was acting against US interests or exceeding its mandate.
This direct response follows a joint statement issued Thursday by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., in which they formally announced Washington's withdrawal, accusing the organization of "numerous failures during the COVID-19 pandemic," as well as repeatedly acting against U.S. interests.
The historical context of the strained relationship
This threat of withdrawal is not unprecedented in the history of relations between Washington and the organization. President Donald Trump's first term witnessed similar tensions that culminated in the initiation of formal withdrawal procedures, before the subsequent administration reversed course. The United States is a founding member of the World Health Organization, established in 1948, and has long been its largest financial supporter, contributing a significant portion of its annual budget allocated to combating diseases and epidemics worldwide.
The implications of the withdrawal on global health security
The US withdrawal carries grave risks that extend beyond the political sphere to the very core of global health security. The absence of the US not only means a severe funding shortfall, but could also disrupt vital programs heavily reliant on American support, such as polio eradication campaigns, malaria control efforts, and emergency health responses in disaster-stricken areas.
Observers believe that Washington's withdrawal will create a leadership vacuum in international health matters, potentially opening the door for other international powers to strengthen their influence within the organization, which could alter the priorities of the global health agenda. This withdrawal could also weaken the world's ability to coordinate efforts to confront any potential future pandemics, as early warning systems and data sharing rely heavily on comprehensive international cooperation in which the United States plays a pivotal role.
So far, the World Health Organization has not confirmed that the withdrawal decision has taken effect procedurally, but the exchange of statements indicates a new phase of estrangement that may reshape the map of international health alliances.
