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News
The WHO director-general race is officially on. Five candidates from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Spain, and Indonesia have submitted nominations to replace Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who has led the agency since 2017. A candidates' forum is set for November, with the Executive Board shortlisting up to three finalists in January 2027.
The race to lead the World Health Organization is officially underway. Five candidates have submitted nominations to succeed Ethiopia's Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as WHO Director-General, with the nomination deadline now closed. The field spans five countries and includes a mix of former health ministers, regional WHO directors, and veteran public health figures.
Tedros has helmed the WHO since 2017, navigating the agency through the COVID-19 pandemic, Ebola outbreaks, and the mpox emergency — though his tenure was also marked by the U.S. withdrawal from the organization in 2025 under President Trump, who accused the WHO of mishandling COVID (a charge the agency denies).
Quick Facts:
Why it matters: The next WHO Director-General will inherit a geopolitically fractured global health landscape, including navigating the U.S.'s complicated relationship with the agency. The candidates' forum in November and the Executive Board shortlist in January 2027 are the next key milestones to watch.
