Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday said the U.S. will deliver more than $200 million in assessed funds to the World Health Organization (WHO) during a virtual meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

Yet he also called for reform of the global health body. "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. "This is a key step forward to filling our financial obligations as a WHO member, 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 it, for the future,” he added.

Blinken, in his remarks, also reiterated the administration's call for an "independent" investigation into the origins of COVID-19.

"We know the COVID-19 outbreaks are likely to occur in the years to come. The ongoing expert investigation about the urgency of this pandemic and the report that will be issued must be independent with findings based on science and facts and free from interference," the secretary said. "To better understand this pandemic, and prepare for the next one, all countries must make available all data from the earliest days of any outbreak. Transparency, information sharing access for international experts, these must be the hallmarks of our common approach to what is truly a global challenge."