Overview
- The WHO Executive Board opened its Geneva session with U.S. and Argentina withdrawal notifications on the agenda.
- Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said a painful reprioritization is largely complete after funding cuts, with 1,241 layoffs and 1,162 additional departures.
- The United States confirmed its intention to leave following a 2025 decree by President Donald Trump, and its flag has been removed from WHO headquarters.
- Member states endorsed phased increases in assessed contributions, with a long‑term goal of lifting them to 50% of the core budget from 14% in 2022.
- The WHO launched a $1 billion appeal to support responses in 36 emergency settings in 2026, noting last year’s $1.5 billion request drew about $900 million.