New York - Geneva: Europe and the Arabs
The World Health Organization expressed regret over US President Donald Trump signing an executive order terminating Washington's membership in the organization after 12 months. Tarik Jasarevic, the organization's spokesman, expressed hope that the United States would reconsider this. According to the United Nations daily news bulletin
Washington joined the World Health Organization in 1948 after a joint resolution was issued by the two chambers of Congress (the House of Representatives and the Senate). The resolution requires the United States to give a year's notice to withdraw from the World Health Organization. President Trump had taken steps to withdraw from the organization in 2022 during his first term, but this was not implemented after Joe Biden took office. Responding to questions from journalists at a UN agencies’ press conference in Geneva, Jasarevic said: “WHO plays a vital role in protecting the health and security of people around the world, including Americans, by addressing the root causes of disease, building stronger health systems, and detecting, preventing and responding to health emergencies, including epidemics, often in dangerous places where others do not go.” Asked about the impact of the US withdrawal, the spokesman said he had just seen the executive order and that further analysis would be needed. He stressed that the United States is the largest single donor to the WHO, accounting for 18% of the organization’s budget in 2023.
Jens Laerke, spokesman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, highlighted the importance of the WHO’s work, saying: “The world is living longer, healthier lives and perhaps happier lives because of WHO.”
He added at the press conference that WHO goes where others cannot go, including Gaza, Yemen, Afghanistan and Sudan. He stressed that the organization is an indispensable part of the international humanitarian system. Climate Change
US President Trump has also pledged to withdraw from the 2015 Paris climate agreement. World Meteorological Organization spokeswoman Clare Nullis said the need for all countries to respect the agreement is clear given that 2024 was the warmest year on record.
Referring to the massive and devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, Nullis said the United States suffered the majority of global economic losses from weather, climate and water-related hazards. She said the United States had experienced 403 weather and climate-related disasters since 1980, with total losses and costs of $1 billion or more.
The UN spokesman's office, responding to questions from reporters, said on Monday evening that the transformation envisioned by the Paris agreement is already underway with the renewable energy revolution providing opportunities for jobs and prosperity.
The office added that the Secretary-General remains confident that cities, states and businesses within the United States, along with other nations, will continue to show vision and leadership in working towards resilient, low-carbon economic growth that creates high-quality jobs and markets for prosperity in the 21st century. The office stressed the importance of the United States remaining a leader on environmental issues.