Global Health At Crossroads As U.S. Skips WHO Assembly
The United States was conspicuously absent from the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA).
The absence marked what could be a historic first from the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s highest decision-making body at a critical moment for global health governance.
A provisional list of delegates released by WHO on Monday and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) did not mention a U.S. delegation.
The omission has raised concern among global health stakeholders, especially as member states prepare to vote on the long-awaited Pandemic Agreement, which is nearly three years in the making.
According to Mr Gian Luca Burci, former WHO legal counsel, it will be the first time since WHO’s inception in 1948 that the nation does not participate in the Assembly.
Burci spoke at a WHA preview session co-hosted by the Geneva Graduate Institute and the UN Foundation.
According to him, this is not just symbolic; it’s a significant retreat at a time when unity in health is desperately needed.
The timing of this absence comes as China sends what is likely its largest ever WHA delegation, with over 180 representatives, including senior officials, health experts, and academics.
Meanwhile, the WHO is grappling with severe budget constraints following the U.S. withdrawal from its funding obligations under the Trump administration. Although the legal withdrawal will not take effect until 2026, Washington has failed to pay its 260 million dollars in dues for 2024–2025.
This has led to a 1.2 billion dollar slash in WHO’s overall budget and forecasts of a 20 per cent reduction in staff globally.
Despite the financial uncertainty, WHO leaders remain hopeful that this year’s Assembly could mark a turning point. Approval of both the Pandemic Agreement and an increase in member state contributions by 20 per cent would provide much-needed stability.
Dr Jeremy Farrar, WHO Chief Scientist, said, “We are at an inflexion point. This is a time not just for concern but for transformation. We must reform amid crisis.”
Farrar was part of a major leadership restructuring at WHO aimed at consolidating its work into four core divisions, a move designed to eliminate duplication and enhance efficiency.
Beyond the absence of the U.S., the Americas region as a whole has yet to contribute to WHO’s new “investment round” for voluntary funding.
According to Germany’s Björn Kümmel, a lead negotiator for WHO reform, this imbalance threatens the sustainability of global health financing.
“There’s a complete mismatch between membership and contributions. Emerging economies must rise to the occasion.”
Even if the Pandemic Agreement is approved this week, its finalisation hinges on further negotiations regarding a global pathogen access and benefit-sharing (PABS) mechanism.
This is considered essential for equitable access to vaccines and treatments during future pandemics.
Still, amid geopolitical fragmentation, experts believe that even partial consensus at the Assembly is a testament to the resilience of multilateralism.
“At a time when multilateralism is questioned, the fact that 193 countries are moving toward a pandemic accord is remarkable. Hope and cooperation remain our most powerful tools,” Kümmel noted.
As the WHA continues through May 27, the absence of the U.S., traditionally WHO’s largest donor and key global health player, underscores a critical shift in leadership dynamics and the uncertain future of global health solidarity.
Global Health At Crossroads As U.S. Skips WHO Assembly is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
