Withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization – The White House

WITHDRAWAL OF THE UNITED STATES FROM THE WORLD

HEALTH ORGANIZATION

By the authority vested in me as President under the Constitution and laws of the United States, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1. Purpose. The United States noted its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020 due to the organization’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic arising from Wuhan, China and other global health crises, its failure to enact urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the undue political influence of WHO member states. In addition, the WHO continues to demand unfairly burdensome payments from the United States, far out of proportion to the assessed payments of other countries. China, with a population of 1.4 billion, has 300 percent of the population of the United States, yet contributes nearly 90 percent less to the WHO.

Sec. 2. Actions. (one) The US intends to withdraw from the WHO. The President’s letter to the UN Secretary-General, signed on January 20, 2021, withdrawing the United States’ July 6, 2020, announcement of withdrawal.

(b) Executive Order 13987 of January 25, 2021 (Organizing and Mobilizing the United States Government to Deliver a Unified and Effective Response to Combating COVID-19 and to Provide United States Leadership in Global Health and Security), is revoked.

(c) The Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs shall establish such directorates and coordination mechanisms within the National Security Council apparatus as he deems necessary and appropriate to protect public health and enhance biosecurity.

(d) The Secretary of State and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall take appropriate action with all possible expedience to:

(i) halt the future transfer of any US Government funds, support or resources to WHO;

(ii) recall and reassign US government personnel or contractors working in any capacity with WHO; and

(iii) identify credible and transparent US and international partners to undertake necessary activities previously carried out by WHO.

(e) The Director of the White House Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy shall review, repeal, and replace the 2024 United States Global Health Security Strategy as soon as practicable.

Sec. 3. Notification. The Secretary of State shall immediately notify the Secretary-General of the United Nations, any other relevant depositary and WHO management of the withdrawal.

Sec. 4. Global system negotiations. While the withdrawal is in progress, the Secretary of State will suspend negotiations on the WHO pandemic agreement and amendments to the International Health Regulations, and measures taken to implement such agreement and amendments will not be binding on the United States.

Sec. 5. General provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions for the Director of the Office of Management and Budget in relation to budgetary, administrative or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented in accordance with applicable law and subject to the availability of funds.

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not create, any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents; or any other person.

THE WHITE HOUSE,

20 January 2025.