Reuters: Final decision on US exit from WHO due in May

The final decision on the United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) will be taken at the upcoming session of the World Health Assembly in mid-May.

The United States officially announced its withdrawal from the WHO on January 22, one year after President Donald Trump notified the organisation of Washington’s intention to leave, Caliber.Az reports via Western media.

However, the WHO has stressed that a full withdrawal will only be possible once the U.S. settles all outstanding financial obligations. According to the organisation, unpaid contributions for 2024 and 2025 amount to approximately $260.6 million.

During the 158th session of the WHO Executive Board, held in Geneva from February 2 to 7, the board’s 34 members were asked to develop preliminary recommendations on practical issues related to the United States’ status within the organisation. However, with the exception of Israel, which voiced support for the U.S. decision, the other Executive Board members refrained from commenting. No resolutions or draft decisions containing recommendations for participants of the World Health Assembly were submitted. As a result, the responsibility for making a final decision on the U.S. withdrawal from the WHO has been fully deferred to the May assembly.

At the same time, Executive Board members unanimously approved a draft resolution recommending that the assembly acknowledge Argentina’s withdrawal from the organisation, which is set to take effect on March 17, 2026.

By Khagan Isayev