The United States will leave the World Health Organisation on Jan. 22, 2026, the United Nations said, after being formally notified of the decision by President Donald Trump, who has accused the agency of mishandling the pandemic and other international health crises.
“I can confirm we have now received the US letter on the WHO withdrawal. It is dated 22 January 2025. It would take effect a year from yesterday, on 22 January 2026,” said deputy UN spokesperson Farhan Haq.
Trump announced the move on Monday, hours after he was sworn in for a second four-year term. The WHO said on Tuesday that it regretted the move from its top donor country.
Trump must give a one-year notice of US withdrawal from the Geneva-based body and pay Washington’s dues under a 1948 joint resolution of the US Congress.
The United States is by far the WHO’s biggest financial backer, contributing around 18% of its overall funding. WHO’s most recent two-year budget, for 2024-2025, was $6.8 billion. It was not immediately clear how much the US owes.
The US departure will likely put at risk programs across the organization, according to several experts inside and outside the WHO, notably those tackling tuberculosis, the world’s biggest infectious disease killer, as well as HIV/AIDS and other health emergencies.
