U.S. WHO Exit

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The U.S. exit from WHO presents an opportunity to reform global health governance and diversify funding sources.

On January 20, 2025, the U.S. government announced its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), raising concerns about funding and operational impacts. WHO’s funding consists of assessed contributions (AC) from member states and voluntary contributions (VC) from donors. The U.S. claims its assessed contribution is disproportionately high, and its withdrawal will remove significant voluntary funding, mainly used for short-term projects.

Despite these concerns, the exit can be seen as a chance to strengthen WHO by reducing reliance on a single country and pushing for more diversified funding from nations such as BRICS, G20, and other high-income economies. Multilateral institutions must be reformed, as global health dependence on a few Western experts limits broader participation.

To address funding shortages, WHO should seek support from emerging economies and ensure its funding aligns with global health priorities. A redistribution of WHO’s global offices is necessary to balance regional representation, potentially shifting some headquarters from Geneva to cities like Nairobi, Manila, or New Delhi.

WHO must reduce its reliance on donor-driven priorities, which often limit funding for essential health issues like antimicrobial resistance and neglected tropical diseases. This moment should be seized to reform WHO’s structure, diversify expertise, and improve accountability. A stronger, more inclusive WHO is essential for addressing global health challenges effectively.