WHO proposes budget cut after US exit, defends its work

 World Health Organization member states are looking at cutting part of its budget by $400 million, according to a document released on Monday.

The move comes in light of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to withdraw his country from the United Nations agency.

Opening its annual executive board meeting on Monday, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus defended its work and recent reforms.

He also again called on the U.S. to reconsider its exit.

"We believe in continuous improvement, and we would welcome suggestions from the United States and all member states for how we can serve you and the people of the world better.”

The budget cut will be addressed at the Feb. 3-11 meeting in Geneva, as member state representatives discuss the agency's funding and work for the 2026-27 period.

The newly released document shows the board wants to reduce its base programs section of the budget from a proposed $5.3 billion to $4.9 billion.

That is part of the originally proposed $7.5 billion budget, including money to eradicate polio and tackle emergencies.

The U.S. is the WHO's biggest government donor, contributing around 18% of its overall funding.

The agency has already separately taken some cost-cutting steps after Trump's announcement.

But, the document adds, some board representatives also wanted to send a message that the WHO would preserve its strategic direction despite the challenges.

Trump moved to exit the WHO on his first day in office two weeks ago.

The process will take one year under U.S. law.

On Monday, Tedros also specifically addressed some of Trump's criticisms, including around the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the WHO's independence.

He said the agency acted fast on the COVID outbreak, adding that the WHO is happy to say no to member states where requests go against its mission or science.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/proposes-budget-cut-us-exit-174834033.html