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The race to lead the World Health Organization is underway. After a decade under Dr Tedros, the WHO will choose a new Director-General in May 2027.
Over the coming months, they will campaign for the support of Member States, face questions at candidate forums and battle to survive the Executive Board vote that will narrow the field to a maximum of three.
Then comes the final vote.
Who is running? What is their record? What do they believe? Will it be more of the same, or even worse?
Action on World Health will be following the race every step of the way.
WHO Regional Director for Europe
Belgium
WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean
Saudi Arabia
Former Qatari Health Minister
Qatar
Indonesian Minister of Health
Indonesia
Former WHO Director for Environment, Climate Change and Health
Spain
Professor and Chair of Hematology and Pediatric Oncology, Yerevan State Medical UniversityFormer WHO Director for Environment, Climate Change and HealthIndonesian Minister of Health
Spain
WHO Member States can put forward candidates for Director-General. Nominations must reach WHO headquarters in Geneva by 18:00 on 24 September.
After nominations close, the WHO publishes the candidates, including their CVs, qualifications and experience. The candidates can campaign for the support of Member States.
The candidates make their pitch to Member States, setting out their vision for the WHO and answering questions. Each candidate gets up to 10 minutes to present, followed by questions.
If more than five candidates remain, the WHO Executive Board votes by secret ballot to reduce the field to five. If there are already five or fewer, this stage is skipped.
After interviewing the remaining candidates, the Executive Board votes by secret ballot to nominate up to three candidates to go forward to the World Health Assembly.
The final candidates face Member States again in a panel discussion ahead of the final vote.
The candidates make their final statements before the World Health Assembly. Member States then vote by secret ballot to choose the next Director-General.
The result is announced at a public meeting of the World Health Assembly and the successful candidate is appointed Director-General.