Indonesia's health minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin is making a bold pitch to lead the World Health Organization — and his opening move is calling on the United States to come back. The US officially withdrew from the WHO in January 2026 under President Trump, who accused the agency of mishandling COVID-19. Budi, one of six candidates vying to replace outgoing director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, says the US departure has left a major void and that going it alone during a pandemic is "scientifically impossible."

Budi is an unconventional contender — a former banker with stints at IBM and Bank Mandiri who was appointed Indonesia's health minister in 2020. He led one of the world's largest COVID vaccination drives for Indonesia's 280 million people and now oversees a nationwide free health screening program. He's leaning into his financial background, proposing that the WHO partner with development banks like the World Bank to help countries fund their own national health plans.

Key Takeaways:

• Budi is the only WHO director-general candidate without a health sector background or prior WHO experience
• He has a personal relationship with US Health Secretary RFK Jr., which he sees as a bridge-building opportunity
• He believes the WHO must reform, refocusing on its "core mandate" of setting science-based norms and standards
• A WHO vote on the next director-general is expected in May 2027

Why it matters: With the WHO facing a budget crisis after losing its top donor, the next director-general will need to rebuild trust, attract funding, and potentially coax the US back into the fold — making Budi's financial and diplomatic background a potentially compelling, if unconventional, asset.