Starting May 19, hundreds of World Health Organization (WHO) officials will meet with donors and diplomats in Geneva, all focused on one pressing question: how they will manage crises from mpox to cholera without support from their main funder, the United States.
The annual assembly, with its week of sessions, votes, and policy decisions, usually showcases the scale of the UN agency set up to tackle disease outbreaks, approve vaccines, and support health systems worldwide.
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WHO Faces Strategic Shift Amid US Withdrawal
The annual assembly, which includes a week of sessions, votes, and policy decisions, usually highlights the vast role the UN agency plays in tackling disease outbreaks, approving vaccines, and supporting health systems worldwide.
This year, the focus has shifted to scaling down, after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office in January to begin the year-long process of withdrawing the US from the WHO.
“Our goal is to focus on the high-value stuff,” Daniel Thornton, WHO’s director of coordinated resource mobilisation, told Reuters.
Officials are still discussing exactly what qualifies as “high-value.” Health leaders have said they will prioritise the WHO’s work on issuing guidelines for new vaccines and treatments for conditions such as obesity and HIV.
In a slideshow prepared for the event and shared with donors, WHO suggested it would protect work related to approving new medicines and responding to outbreaks. However, it may shut down training programmes and offices in wealthier countries.
WHO Prepares for Major Budget Cuts Amid U.S. Exit
The United States had contributed around 18% of WHO’s funding. “We’ve got to make do with what we have,” said a Western diplomat who wished to remain anonymous. Since Trump’s withdrawal announcement in January, WHO staff have been cutting budgets and managerial roles to prepare for the shortfall.
Due to a required year-long notice period under U.S. law, the U.S. remains a WHO member until January 21, 2026. Its flag still flies outside the Geneva headquarters. Although Trump accused the WHO of mishandling COVID-19, which the agency denies, he later said he might consider rejoining if reforms are made.
However, global health diplomats see little sign of a reversal. WHO is now planning for life without U.S. funding, facing a $600 million budget gap this year and preparing for 21% cuts over the next two years.
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