News Global United States Officially Exits World Health Organization Despite Outstanding $260 Million in FeesUnited States Officially Exits World Health Organization Despite Outstanding $260 Million in Fees
The United States officially withdrew from the World Health Organization on January 22, 2025, violating US law by failing to pay $260 million in outstanding fees for 2024 and 2025. The departure has created a budgetary crisis for WHO, forcing 50% management cuts and 25% staff reduction by mid-2025, as the US was the largest contributor at 18% of funding. Global health experts warn the withdrawal weakens international health collaboration and pandemic response capabilities.
*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
The United States officially exited the World Health Organization (WHO) on January 22, 2025, completing a withdrawal process initiated by President Trump on his first day in office. The departure has sparked significant controversy as it violates US law requiring full payment of outstanding fees before withdrawal.
Legal Violations and Outstanding Payments
Under US law, the country must provide one-year notice and pay all outstanding fees before departing from international organizations. However, the WHO confirmed that the United States has not paid the fees it owes for 2024 and 2025, totaling $260 million.
| Payment Status: | Details |
|---|---|
| Outstanding Amount: | $260 million |
| Coverage Period: | 2024 and 2025 fees |
| Legal Requirement: | Full payment before departure |
| Current Status: | Unpaid |
Lawrence Gostin, founding director of the O'Neill Institute for Global Health Law at Georgetown University, characterized the situation as "a clear violation of US law," though he noted that "Trump is highly likely to get away with it."
WHO Leadership Response and Future Outlook
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has repeatedly urged the United States to reconsider its decision. "I hope the US will reconsider and rejoin WHO," he told reporters at a recent press conference. "Withdrawing from the WHO is a lose for the United States, and it's a lose for the rest of the world."
Bill Gates, chair of the Gates Foundation and major funder of global health initiatives, expressed pessimism about a quick reversal during remarks at Davos. "I don't think the US will be coming back to WHO in the near future," he stated, while emphasizing that "the world needs the World Health Organization."
Financial Impact on WHO Operations
The US departure has created a severe budgetary crisis for the WHO, as Washington traditionally served as the organization's largest financial contributor. The impact has been immediate and substantial:
| Impact Area: | Details |
|---|---|
| US Funding Share: | 18% of WHO's overall funding |
| Management Reduction: | Cut by 50% |
| Staff Reduction: | 25% by mid-2025 |
| Budget Status: | Scaled back across agency |
Global Health Implications
Global health experts have raised concerns about the broader implications of the US withdrawal. Kelly Henning, public health program lead at Bloomberg Philanthropies, warned that "the US withdrawal from WHO could weaken the systems and collaborations the world relies on to detect, prevent, and respond to health threats."
Member states are scheduled to discuss the US departure and its handling at the WHO's executive board meeting in February. The WHO indicated it has been working with the US and sharing information over the past year, though future collaboration arrangements remain unclear following the official withdrawal.
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