The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) stated in a recent address that the significant budget reductions in 2025 due to the United States’ withdrawal presented an opportunity to streamline and refocus the WHO’s operations.
Historically the largest contributor to the UN health agency, the United States, led by President Donald Trump, drastically reduced its foreign aid spending. In January 2025, President Trump initiated the process of withdrawing the country’s support to the WHO by giving a one-year notice.
During the WHO’s annual executive board meeting, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus acknowledged that 2025 had been a challenging year for the organization, as various donors tightened their financial support. He emphasized the need for the WHO to adapt and operate more efficiently in response to the evolving funding landscape.
