Announcement of candidates for the position of WHO Director-General

Geneva, 29 October 2026 -- Seven candidates have been proposed by Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the position of WHO Director-General:

Dr Hanan Mohammed Al-Kuwari
Dr Hanan Balkhy
Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge
Dr María P. Neira
Mr Budi Gunadi Sadikin
Dr Li Song
Dr Gevorg Tamamyan.

The candidates' curricula vitae are available in all official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

The candidates will engage with Member States and Associate Members on 18–19 November 2026 at the first candidates’ forum at WHO Headquarters in Geneva. The forum will be publicly webcast on the WHO website in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

At its 160th session in early 2027, the WHO’s Executive Board will decide on a shortlist of five candidates. Executive Board members will then interview these candidates and nominate up to three to go forward for consideration by the World Health Assembly.

A second candidates’ forum with candidates nominated by the Executive Board will take place on 15 March 2027 and will also be publicly available on the WHO website in all official languages.

At its 80th session in May 2027, the World Health Assembly will appoint the new Director-General. The new Director-General will take office on 16 August 2027.

Note to editors

The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of WHO. It is attended by delegations from all WHO Member States. The main functions of the World Health Assembly are to determine the policies of the Organization, appoint the Director-General, supervise financial policies, and review and approve the proposed programme budget.

The Executive Board is composed of 34 technically qualified members elected for 3-year terms. The Board meets twice a year: in January, when the members agree upon the agenda and the resolutions to be considered by the World Health Assembly, and again in May following the Assembly.

./.

Further information:

./.

Media contact:

mediainquiries@who.int

You are receiving this NO-REPLY email because you are included on a WHO mail list.
If you have been forwarded this update you can click here to subscribe.
Journalists may send feedback to WHO Media Team