Member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) will discuss cutting its budget by $400 million after Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the United States - the agency's largest state funder, reports "Reuters", reports News.bg.
At the opening of the annual meeting of the executive board, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus defended the organization's work and its recent reforms. He also called on the United States to reconsider its withdrawal and engage with the WHO on future changes.
"We would welcome suggestions from the United States and all member states on how we can serve you and the people of the world better," Ghebreyesus said.
The cuts will be discussed at a meeting in Geneva from February 3 to 11. During the meeting, representatives of member states will discuss the organization's funding and future work for the period 2026-2027.
According to a document published on Monday, the executive board is proposing to reduce the budget for core programs from $5.3 billion to $4.9 billion. It is part of a larger $7.5 billion budget that includes funds to eradicate polio and address health emergencies.
"With the departure of the largest source of funding, the budget cannot remain as usual," the document states. The United States provides about 18% of WHO's total funding. The organization has already taken steps to reduce costs since Washington's decision.
Despite the financial challenges, some board members insist that the WHO will maintain its strategic direction.
The $4.9 billion budget is roughly the same as the one for 2024-2025.
Trump signed the decision to withdraw the United States from the WHO on his first day in office two weeks ago. Under US law, the withdrawal process would take a year.