Countries are Significantly Off-Track to Meet Global Mental Health Targets 03/02/2026 Disha Shetty Countries are significantly off track in meeting global targets set to transform mental health systems, according to the latest Director-General report tabled at the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Executive Board meeting. Around 1.1 billion people were estimated to be living with a mental health disorder, according to the latest WHO data available for 2021. Financial […] Continue reading -> Days After US Leaves WHO, Israel Warns it Faces Pressure to Withdraw 02/02/2026 Kerry Cullinan Israel has called for a “brave conceptual overhaul” of the World Health Organization (WHO) following the recent withdrawal of the United States, warning that it too is under pressure to leave the global body. Claiming that the WHO has become “too politicised”, Israel told the body’s Executive Board (EB) meeting on Monday that, “in Israel, […] Continue reading -> A Flag Recaptured: US Exit from WHO Highlights Anger Over COVID-19 Pandemic 27/01/2026 Sophia Samantaroy A dispute over an American flag has become symbolic of the bitter public dispute between the US and the World Health Organization (WHO) after the US withdrew from the organization on 22 January. In a joint statement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F Kennedy Jr on […] Continue reading -> America First is Not America Absent 23/01/2026 Christina Liu One year after the United States announced its withdrawal from the World Health Organization, a former WHO Headquarters Staff Association President reflects on how presence, governance, and leadership shape influence in global health. In January 2024, I stood before the WHO’s Executive Board, chaired by Qatar’s Minister of Health, Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari. I […] Continue reading -> Stars and Stripes No Longer Flying at WHO – But US Can’t Really Leave Until Dues are Paid, Agency Says 23/01/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The United States said Thursday that it had officially completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). But WHO member states are not obliged to accept the US departure as legally binding until it pays up on some $260.6 million in dues owed for 2024- and 2025, WHO’s Director General contends in a report […] Continue reading -> WHO Member States Urged Not to Politicise Public Health as Pathogen Access Talks Resume 20/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) negotiations on the world’s first Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system resumed in Geneva on Tuesday – with only two more weeks of formal negotiations left before the May deadline. Symbolically, this week’s talks resumed on the first anniversary of US President Donald Trump’s announcement that his country would […] Continue reading -> One Year Later: The Effect of US ‘Chainsaw’ on Global Health 20/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan One year ago today (20 January), the Trump administration exploded the global health sector by immediately “pausing” all aid for 90 days – and dispensing with 83% of US Agency for International Development (USAID) projects six weeks later. Trillionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) “chainsawed” at USAID projects and contracts, folding […] Continue reading -> Member States to Discuss US Withdrawal from WHO as Failure to Pay 2024-25 Fees Violates Legal Obligations 14/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan When and how the United States withdraws from the World Health Organization (WHO) is an “open question” for member states to discuss, according to Steven Solomon, the body’s legal officer. This is because the US has failed to pay its WHO membership dues of $260.6 million for the past two years (2024-2025) in violation of […] Continue reading -> Country Taxes on Alcohol and Sugary Drinks are ‘Too Low to be Effective’, WHO Finds 13/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan Governments should “significantly strengthen” taxes on alcoholic and sugary drinks as these products are getting cheaper, fueling obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancers and injuries. This is according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which issued two reports on taxing sugary drinks and alcohol on Tuesday, including how countries are implementing these. “In most countries, these […] Continue reading -> EXCLUSIVE: Germany to Halve Funding for Pandemic Hub Amid Global Health Pull-back 08/01/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The German government is set to halve its funding for the Berlin-based WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence this year as part of a broader retreat from global health and aid financing under Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Funding for the pandemic surveillance hub will be reduced from €30 million yearly to €15 million, with only […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Days After US Leaves WHO, Israel Warns it Faces Pressure to Withdraw 02/02/2026 Kerry Cullinan Israel has called for a “brave conceptual overhaul” of the World Health Organization (WHO) following the recent withdrawal of the United States, warning that it too is under pressure to leave the global body. Claiming that the WHO has become “too politicised”, Israel told the body’s Executive Board (EB) meeting on Monday that, “in Israel, […] Continue reading -> A Flag Recaptured: US Exit from WHO Highlights Anger Over COVID-19 Pandemic 27/01/2026 Sophia Samantaroy A dispute over an American flag has become symbolic of the bitter public dispute between the US and the World Health Organization (WHO) after the US withdrew from the organization on 22 January. In a joint statement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F Kennedy Jr on […] Continue reading -> America First is Not America Absent 23/01/2026 Christina Liu One year after the United States announced its withdrawal from the World Health Organization, a former WHO Headquarters Staff Association President reflects on how presence, governance, and leadership shape influence in global health. In January 2024, I stood before the WHO’s Executive Board, chaired by Qatar’s Minister of Health, Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari. I […] Continue reading -> Stars and Stripes No Longer Flying at WHO – But US Can’t Really Leave Until Dues are Paid, Agency Says 23/01/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The United States said Thursday that it had officially completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). But WHO member states are not obliged to accept the US departure as legally binding until it pays up on some $260.6 million in dues owed for 2024- and 2025, WHO’s Director General contends in a report […] Continue reading -> WHO Member States Urged Not to Politicise Public Health as Pathogen Access Talks Resume 20/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) negotiations on the world’s first Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system resumed in Geneva on Tuesday – with only two more weeks of formal negotiations left before the May deadline. Symbolically, this week’s talks resumed on the first anniversary of US President Donald Trump’s announcement that his country would […] Continue reading -> One Year Later: The Effect of US ‘Chainsaw’ on Global Health 20/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan One year ago today (20 January), the Trump administration exploded the global health sector by immediately “pausing” all aid for 90 days – and dispensing with 83% of US Agency for International Development (USAID) projects six weeks later. Trillionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) “chainsawed” at USAID projects and contracts, folding […] Continue reading -> Member States to Discuss US Withdrawal from WHO as Failure to Pay 2024-25 Fees Violates Legal Obligations 14/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan When and how the United States withdraws from the World Health Organization (WHO) is an “open question” for member states to discuss, according to Steven Solomon, the body’s legal officer. This is because the US has failed to pay its WHO membership dues of $260.6 million for the past two years (2024-2025) in violation of […] Continue reading -> Country Taxes on Alcohol and Sugary Drinks are ‘Too Low to be Effective’, WHO Finds 13/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan Governments should “significantly strengthen” taxes on alcoholic and sugary drinks as these products are getting cheaper, fueling obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancers and injuries. This is according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which issued two reports on taxing sugary drinks and alcohol on Tuesday, including how countries are implementing these. “In most countries, these […] Continue reading -> EXCLUSIVE: Germany to Halve Funding for Pandemic Hub Amid Global Health Pull-back 08/01/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The German government is set to halve its funding for the Berlin-based WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence this year as part of a broader retreat from global health and aid financing under Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Funding for the pandemic surveillance hub will be reduced from €30 million yearly to €15 million, with only […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
A Flag Recaptured: US Exit from WHO Highlights Anger Over COVID-19 Pandemic 27/01/2026 Sophia Samantaroy A dispute over an American flag has become symbolic of the bitter public dispute between the US and the World Health Organization (WHO) after the US withdrew from the organization on 22 January. In a joint statement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F Kennedy Jr on […] Continue reading -> America First is Not America Absent 23/01/2026 Christina Liu One year after the United States announced its withdrawal from the World Health Organization, a former WHO Headquarters Staff Association President reflects on how presence, governance, and leadership shape influence in global health. In January 2024, I stood before the WHO’s Executive Board, chaired by Qatar’s Minister of Health, Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari. I […] Continue reading -> Stars and Stripes No Longer Flying at WHO – But US Can’t Really Leave Until Dues are Paid, Agency Says 23/01/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The United States said Thursday that it had officially completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). But WHO member states are not obliged to accept the US departure as legally binding until it pays up on some $260.6 million in dues owed for 2024- and 2025, WHO’s Director General contends in a report […] Continue reading -> WHO Member States Urged Not to Politicise Public Health as Pathogen Access Talks Resume 20/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) negotiations on the world’s first Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system resumed in Geneva on Tuesday – with only two more weeks of formal negotiations left before the May deadline. Symbolically, this week’s talks resumed on the first anniversary of US President Donald Trump’s announcement that his country would […] Continue reading -> One Year Later: The Effect of US ‘Chainsaw’ on Global Health 20/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan One year ago today (20 January), the Trump administration exploded the global health sector by immediately “pausing” all aid for 90 days – and dispensing with 83% of US Agency for International Development (USAID) projects six weeks later. Trillionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) “chainsawed” at USAID projects and contracts, folding […] Continue reading -> Member States to Discuss US Withdrawal from WHO as Failure to Pay 2024-25 Fees Violates Legal Obligations 14/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan When and how the United States withdraws from the World Health Organization (WHO) is an “open question” for member states to discuss, according to Steven Solomon, the body’s legal officer. This is because the US has failed to pay its WHO membership dues of $260.6 million for the past two years (2024-2025) in violation of […] Continue reading -> Country Taxes on Alcohol and Sugary Drinks are ‘Too Low to be Effective’, WHO Finds 13/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan Governments should “significantly strengthen” taxes on alcoholic and sugary drinks as these products are getting cheaper, fueling obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancers and injuries. This is according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which issued two reports on taxing sugary drinks and alcohol on Tuesday, including how countries are implementing these. “In most countries, these […] Continue reading -> EXCLUSIVE: Germany to Halve Funding for Pandemic Hub Amid Global Health Pull-back 08/01/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The German government is set to halve its funding for the Berlin-based WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence this year as part of a broader retreat from global health and aid financing under Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Funding for the pandemic surveillance hub will be reduced from €30 million yearly to €15 million, with only […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
America First is Not America Absent 23/01/2026 Christina Liu One year after the United States announced its withdrawal from the World Health Organization, a former WHO Headquarters Staff Association President reflects on how presence, governance, and leadership shape influence in global health. In January 2024, I stood before the WHO’s Executive Board, chaired by Qatar’s Minister of Health, Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari. I […] Continue reading -> Stars and Stripes No Longer Flying at WHO – But US Can’t Really Leave Until Dues are Paid, Agency Says 23/01/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The United States said Thursday that it had officially completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). But WHO member states are not obliged to accept the US departure as legally binding until it pays up on some $260.6 million in dues owed for 2024- and 2025, WHO’s Director General contends in a report […] Continue reading -> WHO Member States Urged Not to Politicise Public Health as Pathogen Access Talks Resume 20/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) negotiations on the world’s first Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system resumed in Geneva on Tuesday – with only two more weeks of formal negotiations left before the May deadline. Symbolically, this week’s talks resumed on the first anniversary of US President Donald Trump’s announcement that his country would […] Continue reading -> One Year Later: The Effect of US ‘Chainsaw’ on Global Health 20/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan One year ago today (20 January), the Trump administration exploded the global health sector by immediately “pausing” all aid for 90 days – and dispensing with 83% of US Agency for International Development (USAID) projects six weeks later. Trillionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) “chainsawed” at USAID projects and contracts, folding […] Continue reading -> Member States to Discuss US Withdrawal from WHO as Failure to Pay 2024-25 Fees Violates Legal Obligations 14/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan When and how the United States withdraws from the World Health Organization (WHO) is an “open question” for member states to discuss, according to Steven Solomon, the body’s legal officer. This is because the US has failed to pay its WHO membership dues of $260.6 million for the past two years (2024-2025) in violation of […] Continue reading -> Country Taxes on Alcohol and Sugary Drinks are ‘Too Low to be Effective’, WHO Finds 13/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan Governments should “significantly strengthen” taxes on alcoholic and sugary drinks as these products are getting cheaper, fueling obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancers and injuries. This is according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which issued two reports on taxing sugary drinks and alcohol on Tuesday, including how countries are implementing these. “In most countries, these […] Continue reading -> EXCLUSIVE: Germany to Halve Funding for Pandemic Hub Amid Global Health Pull-back 08/01/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The German government is set to halve its funding for the Berlin-based WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence this year as part of a broader retreat from global health and aid financing under Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Funding for the pandemic surveillance hub will be reduced from €30 million yearly to €15 million, with only […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Stars and Stripes No Longer Flying at WHO – But US Can’t Really Leave Until Dues are Paid, Agency Says 23/01/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The United States said Thursday that it had officially completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). But WHO member states are not obliged to accept the US departure as legally binding until it pays up on some $260.6 million in dues owed for 2024- and 2025, WHO’s Director General contends in a report […] Continue reading -> WHO Member States Urged Not to Politicise Public Health as Pathogen Access Talks Resume 20/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) negotiations on the world’s first Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system resumed in Geneva on Tuesday – with only two more weeks of formal negotiations left before the May deadline. Symbolically, this week’s talks resumed on the first anniversary of US President Donald Trump’s announcement that his country would […] Continue reading -> One Year Later: The Effect of US ‘Chainsaw’ on Global Health 20/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan One year ago today (20 January), the Trump administration exploded the global health sector by immediately “pausing” all aid for 90 days – and dispensing with 83% of US Agency for International Development (USAID) projects six weeks later. Trillionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) “chainsawed” at USAID projects and contracts, folding […] Continue reading -> Member States to Discuss US Withdrawal from WHO as Failure to Pay 2024-25 Fees Violates Legal Obligations 14/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan When and how the United States withdraws from the World Health Organization (WHO) is an “open question” for member states to discuss, according to Steven Solomon, the body’s legal officer. This is because the US has failed to pay its WHO membership dues of $260.6 million for the past two years (2024-2025) in violation of […] Continue reading -> Country Taxes on Alcohol and Sugary Drinks are ‘Too Low to be Effective’, WHO Finds 13/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan Governments should “significantly strengthen” taxes on alcoholic and sugary drinks as these products are getting cheaper, fueling obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancers and injuries. This is according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which issued two reports on taxing sugary drinks and alcohol on Tuesday, including how countries are implementing these. “In most countries, these […] Continue reading -> EXCLUSIVE: Germany to Halve Funding for Pandemic Hub Amid Global Health Pull-back 08/01/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The German government is set to halve its funding for the Berlin-based WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence this year as part of a broader retreat from global health and aid financing under Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Funding for the pandemic surveillance hub will be reduced from €30 million yearly to €15 million, with only […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
WHO Member States Urged Not to Politicise Public Health as Pathogen Access Talks Resume 20/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) negotiations on the world’s first Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system resumed in Geneva on Tuesday – with only two more weeks of formal negotiations left before the May deadline. Symbolically, this week’s talks resumed on the first anniversary of US President Donald Trump’s announcement that his country would […] Continue reading -> One Year Later: The Effect of US ‘Chainsaw’ on Global Health 20/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan One year ago today (20 January), the Trump administration exploded the global health sector by immediately “pausing” all aid for 90 days – and dispensing with 83% of US Agency for International Development (USAID) projects six weeks later. Trillionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) “chainsawed” at USAID projects and contracts, folding […] Continue reading -> Member States to Discuss US Withdrawal from WHO as Failure to Pay 2024-25 Fees Violates Legal Obligations 14/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan When and how the United States withdraws from the World Health Organization (WHO) is an “open question” for member states to discuss, according to Steven Solomon, the body’s legal officer. This is because the US has failed to pay its WHO membership dues of $260.6 million for the past two years (2024-2025) in violation of […] Continue reading -> Country Taxes on Alcohol and Sugary Drinks are ‘Too Low to be Effective’, WHO Finds 13/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan Governments should “significantly strengthen” taxes on alcoholic and sugary drinks as these products are getting cheaper, fueling obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancers and injuries. This is according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which issued two reports on taxing sugary drinks and alcohol on Tuesday, including how countries are implementing these. “In most countries, these […] Continue reading -> EXCLUSIVE: Germany to Halve Funding for Pandemic Hub Amid Global Health Pull-back 08/01/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The German government is set to halve its funding for the Berlin-based WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence this year as part of a broader retreat from global health and aid financing under Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Funding for the pandemic surveillance hub will be reduced from €30 million yearly to €15 million, with only […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
One Year Later: The Effect of US ‘Chainsaw’ on Global Health 20/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan One year ago today (20 January), the Trump administration exploded the global health sector by immediately “pausing” all aid for 90 days – and dispensing with 83% of US Agency for International Development (USAID) projects six weeks later. Trillionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) “chainsawed” at USAID projects and contracts, folding […] Continue reading -> Member States to Discuss US Withdrawal from WHO as Failure to Pay 2024-25 Fees Violates Legal Obligations 14/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan When and how the United States withdraws from the World Health Organization (WHO) is an “open question” for member states to discuss, according to Steven Solomon, the body’s legal officer. This is because the US has failed to pay its WHO membership dues of $260.6 million for the past two years (2024-2025) in violation of […] Continue reading -> Country Taxes on Alcohol and Sugary Drinks are ‘Too Low to be Effective’, WHO Finds 13/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan Governments should “significantly strengthen” taxes on alcoholic and sugary drinks as these products are getting cheaper, fueling obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancers and injuries. This is according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which issued two reports on taxing sugary drinks and alcohol on Tuesday, including how countries are implementing these. “In most countries, these […] Continue reading -> EXCLUSIVE: Germany to Halve Funding for Pandemic Hub Amid Global Health Pull-back 08/01/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The German government is set to halve its funding for the Berlin-based WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence this year as part of a broader retreat from global health and aid financing under Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Funding for the pandemic surveillance hub will be reduced from €30 million yearly to €15 million, with only […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Member States to Discuss US Withdrawal from WHO as Failure to Pay 2024-25 Fees Violates Legal Obligations 14/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan When and how the United States withdraws from the World Health Organization (WHO) is an “open question” for member states to discuss, according to Steven Solomon, the body’s legal officer. This is because the US has failed to pay its WHO membership dues of $260.6 million for the past two years (2024-2025) in violation of […] Continue reading -> Country Taxes on Alcohol and Sugary Drinks are ‘Too Low to be Effective’, WHO Finds 13/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan Governments should “significantly strengthen” taxes on alcoholic and sugary drinks as these products are getting cheaper, fueling obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancers and injuries. This is according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which issued two reports on taxing sugary drinks and alcohol on Tuesday, including how countries are implementing these. “In most countries, these […] Continue reading -> EXCLUSIVE: Germany to Halve Funding for Pandemic Hub Amid Global Health Pull-back 08/01/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The German government is set to halve its funding for the Berlin-based WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence this year as part of a broader retreat from global health and aid financing under Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Funding for the pandemic surveillance hub will be reduced from €30 million yearly to €15 million, with only […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Country Taxes on Alcohol and Sugary Drinks are ‘Too Low to be Effective’, WHO Finds 13/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan Governments should “significantly strengthen” taxes on alcoholic and sugary drinks as these products are getting cheaper, fueling obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancers and injuries. This is according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which issued two reports on taxing sugary drinks and alcohol on Tuesday, including how countries are implementing these. “In most countries, these […] Continue reading -> EXCLUSIVE: Germany to Halve Funding for Pandemic Hub Amid Global Health Pull-back 08/01/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The German government is set to halve its funding for the Berlin-based WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence this year as part of a broader retreat from global health and aid financing under Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Funding for the pandemic surveillance hub will be reduced from €30 million yearly to €15 million, with only […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
EXCLUSIVE: Germany to Halve Funding for Pandemic Hub Amid Global Health Pull-back 08/01/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The German government is set to halve its funding for the Berlin-based WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence this year as part of a broader retreat from global health and aid financing under Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Funding for the pandemic surveillance hub will be reduced from €30 million yearly to €15 million, with only […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts