Withdrawing the United States From the World Health Organization
This executive order (EO), titled “Withdrawing the United States From the World Health Organization,” directs the United States to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO). It revokes earlier actions related to withdrawal, reinstates the possibility of the United States re-engaging through new arrangements, and establishes a framework to reduce U.S. involvement with the WHO. Key provisions include pausing future U.S. funding or resources to the WHO, recalling U.S. personnel working with the WHO, and designating partners to take over essential activities previously handled by the WHO. The order also directs the reorganization of national security and health policy structures to strengthen biosecurity, halts negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Agreement and amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR), and requires a review and replacement of the 2024 U.S. Global Health Security Strategy. The Secretary of State must notify UN/WHO leadership of the withdrawal, and the order emphasizes that implementation must comply with law and available appropriations. It also states that the measure does not create any legal rights.
Key Points
- 1The United States intends to withdraw from the WHO, revoking the 2021 retraction letter that had reversed the 2020 withdrawal notice.
- 2Executive Order 13987 (January 25, 2021) is revoked, and the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs may establish NSC directorates and mechanisms to safeguard public health and fortify biosecurity.
- 3The Secretary of State and the Director of the OMB must, with practical speed, pause future U.S. government funds, recall personnel/contractors working with the WHO, and identify credible partners to assume WHO activities.
- 4The Director of the White House Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy must review, rescind, and replace the 2024 U.S. Global Health Security Strategy as soon as practicable.
- 5The Secretary of State must notify the UN Secretary-General and WHO leadership of the withdrawal; negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Agreement and IHR amendments are to cease, and related actions will have no binding force on the United States.