90-Second Read: WHO kicks off annual assembly amid Hantavirus, Ebola crises

World Health Organization member states gather for their annual meeting in Geneva Monday amid concern over deadly Hantavirus and Ebola outbreaks and uncertainty over announced US and Argentinian withdrawals. While the rare Hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship that has gripped global attention is not officially on the agenda, it is expected to feature prominently in the discussions, as is the fresh Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. And the Hantavirus crisis provided "a clear illustration of why the world needs an effective, trusted, impartial, reliably-funded WHO," she added. The situation is "still fragile, but they've been successful in mobilizing most of the funds" required for the next two years, Surie Moon, co-director of the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute, told AFP.

When WHO's executive board met in January, Israel submitted a resolution to approve Argentina's withdrawal, something countries are expected to discuss during the assembly, but not a word was said about the US leaving. The assembly will take place as the process towards next year's election of a new WHO chief heats up. Much of this week's discussions will center on whether to launch a formal reform process for the so-called " global health architecture ", a mishmash of organizations that do not always work together and often overlap. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies.

Continued disagreement between wealthy and developing nations has for instance blocked progress on the key missing piece of the WHO's landmark 2025 pandemic treaty, with negotiations now expected to be extended for another year. US President Donald Trump, on his first day back in office in January 2025, handed the WHO his country's one-year withdrawal notice, with Argentina soon following suit. While the notice period has expired, Washington has still not paid its 2024 or 2025 dues, owing around $260 million. But Thiru Balasubramaniam of the Knowledge Ecology International NGO told AFP the WHO had already "scaled down some of their activities, including in terms of sexual and reproductive health." Master's in physics with research experience.

The WHO, whose constitution does not include a withdrawal clause, has not confirmed either withdrawal. No one has yet declared their candidacy, but announcements are possible this week ahead of the nomination deadline of September 24. Among the issues to be explored are what is best done at the global and regional levels...