In brief
The World Health Organization announced seven nominees for its next director‑general, ranging from former health ministers to a pediatric oncologist, with a series of public forums and executive board actions scheduled before the World Health Assembly appointment in May 2027. The new director will assume office on August 16, 2027.
Seven candidates have been nominated by World Health Organization member states to become the agency’s next director‑general, with the selection process slated to involve public forums and executive board interviews, the agency announced on Thursday.
The nominees include Qatar’s Hanan Mohammed Al‑Kuwari, a former health minister and adviser on public health; Saudi Arabia’s Hanan Balkhy, WHO regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean; Belgium’s Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe; Spain’s Maria P. Neira, former director of WHO’s environment and health department; Indonesia’s Budi Gunadi Sadikin, the health minister; China’s Li Song, secretary of the All‑China Women’s Federation and former senior health official; and Armenian pediatric oncologist Gevorg Tamamyan, professor and department chair at Yerevan State Medical University, nominated by Botswana.
All candidates will participate in a public forum at the WHO headquarters in Geneva on November 18‑19, allowing member states to engage directly with them. The WHO Executive Board will narrow the field to five candidates in early 2027 before conducting interviews and nominating up to three for consideration by the World Health Assembly.
A second public forum will be held on March 15, 2027 for those shortlisted. The World Health Assembly is scheduled to appoint the next director‑general in May, with the successful candidate taking office on August 16, 2027.
