Argentina's WHO Withdrawal Effective March 17

Argentina formally withdrew from the World Health Organization on March 17, 2026, one year after notifying the United Nations of its intent to leave the global health body. The decision, announced by President Javier Milei's government in February 2025, was confirmed by Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno in a social media post on Tuesday.

Quirno stated that the withdrawal took effect in accordance with the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, following a formal notification sent to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on March 17, 2025. "Today Argentina's withdrawal from the World Health Organization is effective, one year after the formal notification made by our country," Quirno wrote. He added that Argentina would continue to promote international cooperation in health through bilateral agreements and regional forums, while fully safeguarding its sovereignty and capacity to make decisions on health policies.

The move stems from concerns raised by Milei's administration over the WHO's role during the COVID-19 pandemic. In announcing the initial decision, presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni explained that President Milei had instructed the foreign minister to end...