What Happened
- An editorial argues that the World Health Organization (WHO) urgently needs to reform its financial model to reduce vulnerability to the political decisions of individual member states.
- The US withdrawal from the WHO, effective January 22, 2026 (one year after the executive order), has removed approximately 18% of the organisation's funding, creating a critical budget shortfall.
- The US cited the "mishandling" of the COVID-19 pandemic, failure to adopt reforms, political influence by certain members, and "unfair funding practices" as reasons for withdrawal.
- The US reportedly owes an estimated $130-280 million in unpaid assessed contributions despite the withdrawal.
- The crisis has renewed calls for structural reform of WHO's funding architecture, shifting from over-reliance on voluntary contributions from a few large donors to a more diversified and sustainable model.
Static Topic Bridges
WHO Funding Structure: Assessed vs Voluntary Contributions
The WHO's biennial budget is funded through two main channels: assessed contributions (mandatory dues based on GDP and population, under Article 56 of the WHO Constitution) and voluntary contributions (discretionary funding from member states, philanthropic organisations, and private donors). The structural imbalance between these two streams has long been identified as a vulnerability.
- Assessed contributions account for less than 20% of the WHO's total budget, while voluntary contributions and other sources fund over 80%.
- The US was the WHO's largest single funder, contributing approximately $261 million between 2024-2025 (about 18% of total funding).
- Other major funders include Germany, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the UK, and Japan.
- Voluntary contributions are typically earmarked for specific programmes, limiting the WHO's discretion in allocating resources to emerging priorities.
- The WHO's approved Programme Budget for 2024-25 was approximately $6.83 billion.
Connection to this news: The US withdrawal exposes the structural fragility of a funding model where a single country's political decision can destabilise the entire organisation, strengthening the case for increasing the share of assessed (mandatory) contributions.
Global Health Governance and Institutional Reform
The WHO, established in 1948, is the UN system's directing and coordinating authority on international health. Its governance structure includes the World Health Assembly (WHA, 194 member states) and the Executive Board (34 members). Reform discussions have intensified since the COVID-19 pandemic exposed gaps in preparedness, response coordination, and funding.
- The International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005), the binding framework for pandemic preparedness and response, were amended in 2024 to strengthen compliance mechanisms.
- The Pandemic Agreement (under negotiation at the WHA since 2022) aims to establish a legally binding treaty on pandemic preparedness, with equitable access to vaccines and therapeutics as a core principle.
- The WHO's Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response (2021) recommended a major increase in unearmarked funding and a new global health threats council.
- The Pandemic Fund (established 2022 at the World Bank) has mobilised over $2 billion for preparedness in low- and middle-income countries.
Connection to this news: The US withdrawal amplifies the urgency of ongoing reform efforts, particularly the push for a Pandemic Agreement with sustainable financing provisions that cannot be undermined by any single country's political decisions.
India's Role in Global Health Architecture
India plays a significant role in global health as the world's largest manufacturer of generic medicines and vaccines ("pharmacy of the world"), a major WHO contributor, and a key voice in shaping the Pandemic Agreement negotiations. India's positions on health equity, TRIPS flexibilities, and technology transfer have shaped global health diplomacy.
- India supplies approximately 60% of the world's vaccines and 20% of global generic medicine production.
- During COVID-19, India launched the Vaccine Maitri initiative, supplying vaccines to over 100 countries, before domestic demand constraints forced a temporary pause.
- India has advocated for TRIPS waivers on COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics at the WTO, alongside South Africa.
- India's assessed contribution to the WHO is relatively modest (approximately 0.8% of the regular budget), but its strategic influence far exceeds its financial contribution.
- India is a member of the WHO Executive Board and actively participates in Pandemic Agreement negotiations.
Connection to this news: The WHO funding crisis presents India with an opportunity to strengthen its leadership in global health governance, advocating for equitable financing models and leveraging its pharmaceutical capacity to expand influence in the reformed global health architecture.
Key Facts & Data
- The US withdrawal from the WHO became effective January 22, 2026.
- US contributions accounted for approximately 18% of WHO funding ($261 million in 2024-25).
- Assessed contributions cover less than 20% of the WHO budget; voluntary contributions fund over 80%.
- WHO's approved Programme Budget for 2024-25 was approximately $6.83 billion.
- The WHO has 194 member states; the US was the single largest funder.
- India supplies approximately 60% of the world's vaccines and 20% of global generic medicines.
- The 1948 WHO Constitution (Article 56) requires members to fulfill financial obligations before withdrawal.
- The US reportedly owes $130-280 million in unpaid contributions.