World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that U.S. officials have not shared intelligence related to the origins of COVID-19, emphasizing that the question of how the pandemic began remains unresolved. His remarks come amid heightened tensions between Washington and the WHO following the United States’ formal withdrawal from the organization in January 2026.

“We haven't still concluded the COVID origins,” Tedros said, underscoring that understanding the source of the virus is critical for preventing future global health crises. He argued that access to all relevant intelligence, from all nations, would contribute to a clearer scientific determination and strengthen global preparedness against emerging pathogens.

The comments follow years of debate surrounding whether COVID-19 originated from natural zoonotic transmission or a laboratory-related incident in China. U.S. intelligence agencies have previously issued assessments indicating divided views within the American intelligence community, with varying levels of confidence in competing theories. However, no definitive public conclusion has been universally accepted.

The WHO has faced criticism from U.S. lawmakers and officials who accused the organization of mishandling early pandemic information and being overly deferential to Chinese authorities during the initial outbreak phase. These concerns contributed to the U.S. decision in 2025 to initiate withdrawal proceedings, culminating in the January 2026 departure. The move marked a significant shift in global health governance dynamics, as the United States had historically been one of the WHO’s largest financial contributors.

Tedros’ appeal for intelligence sharing reflects broader concerns within the international public health community about transparency and coordination in pandemic investigations. Public health experts widely agree that identifying the origins of COVID-19—whether through environmental sampling, epidemiological tracing, or intelligence disclosures—would provide actionable insights into biosurveillance, laboratory safety protocols, wildlife monitoring, and global early-warning systems.

The ongoing lack of consensus continues to fuel geopolitical friction. Critics argue that full transparency has been hindered by political sensitivities and limited access to early outbreak data. Supporters of the U.S. withdrawal contend that accountability and reform within international institutions must precede renewed cooperation.

Despite the diplomatic strain, global health leaders maintain that pandemic preparedness requires cross-border collaboration, data exchange, and scientific independence. As the world continues to assess the lessons of COVID-19, the unresolved origins question remains central to both scientific inquiry and international policy debate.

The issue underscores a broader challenge facing the global community: balancing national security considerations, intelligence protection, and the imperative of transparency in preventing the next pandemic.