The World Health Organization has announced six individuals have formally entered the race to succeed Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, whose current term concludes on August 15, 2027. The candidates represent four continents and include senior WHO officials, a health minister, a former health minister, and the head of the Pan American Health Organisation. This diverse pool of candidates brings a range of experiences and perspectives to the table.
Dr Hanan Balkhy, nominated by Saudi Arabia, currently leads the WHO's Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office, bringing experience from a region frequently at the center of health emergencies. Dr Hans Kluge, put forward by Belgium, heads the WHO's Europe Regional Office and is a well-known figure in global health circles. Their participation in the race adds depth and expertise to the candidacy pool.
Dr María Neira, nominated by Spain, oversees WHO's climate-change and health portfolio, a growing area as environmental factors increasingly affect disease patterns. Indonesia's health minister, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, represents Southeast Asia's largest economy and has championed vaccine equity on the international stage. Their inclusion highlights the importance of addressing emerging health challenges.
Former Qatari health minister Dr Hanan Al-Kuwari adds political weight from the Gulf region, while Dr Jarbas Barbosa, Brazil's nominee, leads the Pan American Health Organisation, giving the Americas a direct voice. The candidacy pool reflects a long-standing convention that the WHO Director-General role rotates among regions; with an Ethiopian incumbent finishing his term, the next leader is expected to hail from a different part of the world.
Nominations closed on September 24, 2026, and the WHO will publish the official candidate list in early November, followed by the first public Candidates' Forum on November 18, where each contender will outline their vision. This forum will provide an opportunity for candidates to present their ideas and engage with stakeholders.
The election process continues with an Executive Board shortlist in January 2027, a second forum in March, and a final secret ballot by the World Health Assembly in May, where a simple majority of the 192 member states will decide the winner. Campaigning has already begun, with candidates engaging member states, civil-society groups, and major donors through both behind-closed-door lobbying and public digital outreach.
The high stakes of the election are underscored by the organization's scrutiny after the COVID-19 pandemic. The next Director-General will play a critical role in shaping the WHO's response to future health challenges and addressing the complex issues facing the global health landscape. The successful candidate will need to navigate these challenges while working to strengthen the WHO's capacity to respond to emerging health threats.
Key points
- The WHO has six contenders from four continents vying to replace Dr Tedros as Director-General.
- The candidates bring a range of experiences and perspectives, including senior WHO officials, a health minister, a former health minister, and the head of the Pan American Health Organisation.
- The election process will conclude with a final secret ballot by the World Health Assembly in May 2027.
