The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is responsible for promoting health, keeping the world safe, and serving the vulnerable. It was established on April 7, 1948, and since then, it has been working tirelessly to improve the health of people around the world. The WHO has 194 member states as of 2021, making it one of the largest international organizations in the world. In this article, we will explore the history of the WHO, its role in global health, and how it has impacted the lives of people around the world.
As of my knowledge cutoff in 2021, there are 194 member states of the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that is responsible for promoting health, keeping the world safe, and serving the vulnerable. It was established on April 7, 1948, and its headquarters are located in Geneva, Switzerland. The WHO works to provide leadership on global health matters, shape the health research agenda, set norms and standards for health, articulate evidence-based policy options, and assist countries in strengthening their health systems.
Membership Criteria
Eligibility criteria for countries to become members of WHO are outlined in the organization’s constitution. The constitution requires that a country must be a “state” as defined by international law, and that it must be “able and willing to carry out the obligations” of the organization. Over time, the membership criteria have evolved to include a broader range of countries and territories.
One significant change in the membership criteria occurred in 1994, when WHO adopted a new constitution that allowed for “non-state entities” to become members. This change opened the door for regional economic integration organizations, such as the European Union, to become members of WHO.
Another change in the membership criteria occurred in 2002, when WHO adopted a new statute that allowed for “non-state actors” to become associates of the organization. This change allowed for non-governmental organizations, such as advocacy groups and professional associations, to become associates of WHO.
Despite these changes, the membership criteria continue to be based on the concept of “able and willing to carry out the obligations” of the organization. This means that a country or non-state entity must be able to fulfill the financial and technical obligations of WHO membership, as well as be willing to work towards the organization’s goals and objectives.
In summary, the membership criteria for WHO have evolved over time to include a broader range of countries and non-state entities, but the basic principle of being “able and willing to carry out the obligations” of the organization remains the same.
List of WHO Member Countries
The World Health Organization (WHO) has 194 member states as of 2021. These member states come from all over the world and represent a diverse range of countries, from low-income to high-income nations. The following is a list of some of the member countries of WHO:
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Andorra
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belize
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Bolivia (Plurinational State of)
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Brunei Darussalam
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cabo Verde
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Comoros
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Republic of the Congo
- Costa Rica
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Croatia
- Cuba
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Germany
- Ghana
- Greece
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran (Islamic Republic of)
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Korea, Republic of
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Lao People’s Democratic Republic
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mali
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Micronesia (Federated States of)
- Moldova, Republic of
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russian Federation
- Rwanda
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syrian Arab Republic
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania, United Republic of
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Togo
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Turkmenistan
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Vatican City
- Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)
- Vietnam
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Regional Offices
The World Health Organization (WHO) has six regional offices, each responsible for the coordination and implementation of the organization’s activities in its respective region. These offices play a crucial role in promoting global health and ensuring that the organization’s efforts are aligned with the needs and priorities of the countries they serve.
Overview of WHO’s six regional offices
WHO’s six regional offices are as follows:
- Regional Office for Africa (AFRO)
- Regional Office for the Americas (AMRO)
- Regional Office for South-East Asia (SEARO)
- Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO)
- Regional Office for Europe (EURO)
- Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WPRO)
Each regional office is headquartered in a different country within its respective region and has a team of experts who work closely with member countries to develop and implement health policies and programs.
Number of member countries in each region
As of 2021, the number of member countries in each region is as follows:
- Regional Office for Africa (AFRO): 47 member countries
- Regional Office for the Americas (AMRO): 48 member countries
- Regional Office for South-East Asia (SEARO): 11 member countries
- Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO): 21 member countries
- Regional Office for Europe (EURO): 53 member countries
- Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WPRO): 37 member countries
Overall, WHO has 190 member countries, with the majority of them being located in the African and Western Pacific regions. The organization’s regional offices play a crucial role in coordinating and implementing its activities at the regional level, and each office has a team of experts who work closely with member countries to promote global health and address health challenges in their respective regions.
Non-Member Countries
While the World Health Organization (WHO) currently has 194 member states, there are still several countries that have not yet joined the organization. These non-member countries are usually developing nations that may lack the resources to fully participate in the WHO’s programs and initiatives. However, there are also some developed countries that have not yet joined the WHO, such as the United States.
There are several reasons why some countries have not yet joined the WHO. One reason is that these countries may not see the benefits of joining the organization, as they may have their own healthcare systems in place and may not need the support of the WHO. Additionally, some countries may not have the financial resources to contribute to the WHO’s programs and initiatives, which may make it difficult for them to join the organization.
Another reason why some countries may not be members of the WHO is due to political or ideological differences. For example, some countries may not agree with the WHO’s stance on certain health issues, such as vaccination or reproductive health, and may choose not to join the organization as a result.
Overall, while the majority of countries in the world are members of the WHO, there are still several non-member countries that may face challenges in joining the organization due to various reasons. However, the WHO continues to work towards expanding its membership and improving global health outcomes through its various programs and initiatives.
FAQs
1. How many countries are members of WHO?
As of 2021, there are 194 member states of the World Health Organization (WHO). These member states come from all over the world and include countries from every continent. The WHO is the United Nations’ specialized agency for health, and its goal is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable. The organization works to provide leadership on global health matters, shape the health research agenda, and set norms and standards for health.
2. How does a country become a member of WHO?
Countries can become members of the World Health Organization by applying for membership and meeting the organization’s requirements. To be eligible for membership, a country must be a member of the United Nations or a territory that is under the jurisdiction of a UN member state. The country must also be willing to cooperate with the WHO and other member states in promoting health and controlling diseases. Once a country has applied for membership and met the requirements, it can become a member of the WHO.
3. What are the benefits of being a member of WHO?
There are many benefits to being a member of the World Health Organization. One of the main benefits is access to the organization’s resources and expertise. Member states can draw on the WHO’s vast knowledge and experience in the field of health to help improve the health of their own populations. The WHO also provides technical support and funding for health programs in member states, and it helps to coordinate global efforts to prevent and control diseases. Additionally, being a member of the WHO gives countries a voice in shaping the global health agenda and promoting health worldwide.