GENEVA (AP) – The new head of the World Health Organization doesn’t believe the Trump administration’s calls to slash funding for international aid and U.N. agencies like his is a “closed issue.”
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, an Ethiopian ex-health minister, said he was looking forward to further talks with the U.S., WHO’s biggest donor.
“I wouldn’t take it as a final issue,” he told reporters on Wednesday, the day after his election to a five-year term by WHO member countries. “I have worked with both Republicans and Democrats and if we can communicate with them the right way … I think we can also address that.”
Tedros added that WHO needs to “move fast” in addressing the budget issues, such as through increasing support from groups like the World Bank and the Global Fund. Tedros officially takes over July 1 from outgoing WHO director-general Dr. Margaret Chan, who is ending a 10-year tenure.
He also expressed hopes to expand the base of donor countries, which could be a “shock absorber” if funding shrinks, explaining that some countries had told him during his campaign that they would give to WHO at levels “like what the U.S., U.K. and other countries” provide in voluntary contributions.