The race to lead the World Health Organization (WHO) has gathered momentum, with seven candidates proposed by Member States for the position of Director-General ahead of a selection process scheduled to conclude in May 2027.
The candidates, announced by WHO on October 29, 2026, are Dr Hanan Mohammed Al-Kuwari, Dr Hanan Balkhy, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, Dr María P. Neira, Mr Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Dr Li Song and Dr Gevorg Tamamyan.
According to the organisation, “Seven candidates have been proposed by Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the position of WHO Director-General.”
The candidates will engage with Member States and Associate Members at the first candidates’ forum scheduled for November 18–19, 2026, at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
The forum will be publicly broadcast on the organisation’s website in its six official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.
At its 160th session in early 2027, the WHO Executive Board will shortlist five candidates, interview them and nominate up to three for consideration by the World Health Assembly.
A second candidates’ forum involving those nominated by the Executive Board will hold on March 15, 2027.
The World Health Assembly, WHO’s decision-making body, will appoint the new Director-General at its 80th session in May 2027.
The successful candidate will assume office on August 16, 2027.
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