Saying that “multilateralism, the United Nations, the World Health Organization are essential,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday said the U.S. is shelling out millions of dollars to the WHO, which has spent the past year under a cloud over its actions to help China cover up the extent of the coronavirus epidemic as it unfolded.
“Today, I’m pleased to confirm that by the end of the month the United States intends to pay over $200 million in assessed and current obligations to the WHO,” Blinken said during a U.N. Security Council meeting, according to a transcript of his remarks on the State Department website.
“This is a key step forward in fulfilling our financial obligations as a WHO member,” he said. “And it reflects our renewed commitment to ensuring the WHO has the support it needs to lead the global response to the pandemic, even as we work to reform
