Trump on Monday signed an executive order directing the United States to withdraw from the WHO, a body he has repeatedly criticized over its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The United States, the largest donor to the Geneva-based organization, provides substantial financial support that is vital to the WHO's operations.
“WHO plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the world's people, including Americans,“ spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told reporters in Geneva.
The US withdrawal is expected to trigger a significant restructuring of the institution and could further disrupt global health initiatives.
During his first term, the United States issued a notice of intent to withdraw, accusing the organization of being overly influenced by China during the pandemic's early stages.
Jasarevic stressed that it would take one year from formal notification for the US to leave WHO, according to the rules in place.
In China, a foreign ministry spokesman said Beijing would continue supporting the WHO.
“China will, as always, support the WHO in fulfilling its responsibilities... and work towards building a shared community of health for humanity.”
The administration also announced plans to review and rescind Biden's 2024 US Global Health Security Strategy, which was designed to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats, “as soon as practicable.”
“We cannot make WHO more effective by walking away from it,“ Tom Frieden, a former senior health official under Barack Obama, wrote on on X.
Others warned that by withdrawing from the organization, the United States will lose privileged access to important epidemic surveillance data which could harm the capacity to monitor and prevent health threats from abroad.
“Withdrawal from WHO inflicts a deep wound on US security & our competitive edge in innovation.”
Meanwhile, WHO member states have been negotiating the world's first treaty on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response since late 2021 -- negotiations now seemingly set to proceed without US participation.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( WHO ‘regrets’ Trump decision to pull US from organization )
Also on site :