New York

07 July 2020

Note to Correspondents in answer to questions regarding the World Health Organization

Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General

In answer to questions received just now, I can say that on 6 July 2020, the United States of America notified the Secretary-General, in his capacity as depositary of the 1946 Constitution of the World Health Organization, of its withdrawal from the World Health Organization, effective on 6 July 2021. 
 
The United States is a party to the World Health Organization Constitution since 21 June 1948. The United States’ participation in the World Health Organization was accepted by the World Health Assembly with certain conditions set out by the US for its eventual withdrawal from the World Health Organization. The said conditions include giving a one-year notice and fully meeting the payment of assessed financial obligations.  
 
The Secretary-General, in his capacity as depositary, is in the process of verifying with the World Health Organization whether all the conditions for such withdrawal are met.