January 24, 2026, 3:50 p.mJanuary 24, 2026, 3:50 p.m
The US state of California wants to demonstratively continue its cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) even after the US leaves the country. Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, an opponent of President Donald Trump, announced participation in a network of institutions to quickly identify and combat health threats of international concern. The WHO coordinates this network called GOARN (Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network).
Newsom is sending another signal in his opposition to Trump. However, what exactly the California government plans to do is unclear. Because specialist institutes and organizations are represented in the network, not states or governments. “Participation in GOARN is open to nonprofits and organizations worldwide and at all levels that have an interest in advancing the GOARN vision and are able to contribute to the warning and response of public health emergencies,” the website says.
Also Robert Koch Institute in the network
In fact, according to the website, several US institutes cooperate in the network, including universities, other research institutions and the national health authority CDC. University institutes from Germany are also there. The Robert Koch Institute in Berlin also plays a prominent role. It is responsible for detecting, preventing and controlling diseases. As part of the network, it trains health workers from other countries so that disease outbreaks there can be better managed.
In 2025, the USA was the first country in the world to announce its withdrawal from the WHO, which was founded in 1948. The withdrawal took effect this week. The WHO now has 193 member countries. Trump banned US state institutes from further cooperation with the organization a year ago. He accuses her of corruption, inefficiency and giving in under political pressure from China, for example. (sda/dpa)