WHO Responds to U.S. Withdrawal Announcement and Climate Concerns
The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed regret over the United States’ decision to withdraw from the organization. “The WHO regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the Organization. We hope the United States will reconsider,” stated WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic. The announcement followed the signing of an executive order by the new U.S. President, setting a 12-month timeline for the withdrawal.
The United States has been a member of the WHO since 1948, following a joint congressional resolution that requires a one-year notice to exit. While former President Trump initiated steps to leave the WHO during his administration in 2020, the Biden administration reversed the move.
Speaking to reporters in Geneva, Mr. Jasarevic emphasized the WHO’s vital role in ensuring global health and security, including for Americans, through efforts such as tackling disease outbreaks, strengthening health systems, and addressing the root causes of illness. He highlighted the organization’s ability to operate in challenging environments where others cannot. “WHO plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the world’s people, including Americans,” he noted.
When asked about the potential ramifications of the U.S. withdrawal, Mr. Jasarevic admitted that further analysis was required, as the announcement had only just been made public. He confirmed that the United States remains the largest financial contributor to the WHO, providing 18 percent of the agency’s budget in 2023.
Adding to the sentiment, Jens Laerke, a spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), underscored the importance of the WHO. “The world lives longer, healthier, perhaps a little bit happier because of WHO,” he said. Mr. Laerke praised the organization’s presence in crisis zones like Gaza, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Sudan, calling it “an indispensable part of the international humanitarian system.”
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Climate Concerns Amplified
The U.S. President also signaled a return to prior policies by announcing plans to withdraw from the 2015 Paris Agreement, a universally adopted climate accord. This move echoes the climate policies of his first term, which ended in January 2021.
Clare Nullis, spokesperson for the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO), highlighted the urgency of addressing climate change, particularly given that 2024 was the hottest year on record—1.55°C above pre-industrial levels. “It is the defining challenge of our time,” she asserted.
Ms. Nullis also pointed to the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles and the broader economic toll of weather-related disasters in the U.S., emphasizing that the country has borne the brunt of global losses. Since 1980, the U.S. has experienced 403 weather and climate disasters, each costing $1 billion or more, with a cumulative financial impact of over $2.915 trillion, according to U.S. data.
Her remarks aligned with a statement from the UN Secretary-General’s office, which described the transition envisioned in the Paris Agreement as already underway. The statement pointed to a “renewable energy revolution” creating new opportunities for jobs and economic growth. “The Secretary-General remains confident that cities, states, and businesses within the United States—along with other countries—will continue to demonstrate vision and leadership by working for the low-carbon, resilient economic growth that will create quality jobs and markets for 21st-century prosperity,” the statement said.
The UN stressed that U.S. leadership in environmental matters is crucial and urged the country to remain at the forefront of global climate action. “It is crucial that the United States remains a leader on environmental issues,” the statement concluded.
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