President Donald Trump’s decision to pull the United States out of the World Health Organization leaves the WHO facing a major blow to its budget.
Trump’s move would deprive the UN health agency of a critical partner in tackling public health threats worldwide.
Trump attempted to quit the WHO during his first term but that move was reversed under former president Joe Biden before it could take effect.
Withdrawal from the WHO comes into force one year from notification being formally deposited with the UN.
Trump has meanwhile nominated vaccine sceptic and scathing WHO critic Robert F. Kennedy as his health secretary.
The WHO on Tuesday said it regretted the withdrawal decision and hoped Washington would reconsider.
The United States “plays a crucial role in supporting WHO to protect and improve the health of Americans and people around the world,” the WHO says on its website.
The WHO highlighted Washington’s work in tackling polio and Ebola, and last year the outbreaks of mpox in the DR Congo and Marburg in Rwanda.
“The USA-WHO collaboration also plays a pivotal role in combating global HIV,” it said.
Trump’s executive order says Washington will swiftly pause any future money transfers to the WHO and recall US government staff or contractors working with the organisation.
The United States would join Liechtenstein as the only UN member state not in the WHO.