Saudi candidate among five vying for WHO director-general post
Five candidates from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Belgium, Spain, and Indonesia are competing to lead the World Health Organization after Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Key Takeaways
AIThe World Health Organization has closed nominations for its next director-general, with five candidates from five countries, according to the organization's website. The contenders are seeking to succeed Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of Ethiopia, who has led the WHO since 2017.
The list of candidates includes Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, former health minister of Qatar; Hanan Balkhy of Saudi Arabia, head of the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean; Hans Kluge of Belgium, WHO regional director for Europe; Maria Neira of Spain, a physician and former WHO director specializing in epidemiology; and Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Indonesia's health minister.
A candidates' forum is scheduled for November, with the WHO Executive Board set to shortlist up to three candidates in January 2027.
Tedros's tenure has seen the COVID-19 pandemic as well as other outbreaks such as Ebola and the spread of monkeypox. During his leadership, the United States—WHO's largest donor—announced plans to withdraw from the organization in 2025, following accusations by then-President Donald Trump of mismanaging the coronavirus crisis, allegations the WHO denies.