Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Indonesia’s WHO Leadership Candidate Urges United States to Rejoin
Budi Gunadi Sadikin is Indonesia’s candidate to lead the World Health Organization.
He says the United States should rejoin the organization.
He believes countries need to work together to respond to pandemics.
The United States left the WHO at the start of this year.
Budi is one of six people running to replace the current director-general.
He says the WHO should focus on setting health rules based on science.
He also says the organization needs to earn member countries’ trust.
The vote for a new leader is expected in May next year.
Indonesia’s health minister, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, called for the United States to rejoin the World Health Organization.
Budi said responding to pandemics alone is scientifically impossible and that many WHO member states want the US back.
He is one of six candidates seeking to replace Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Budi said the WHO should focus on setting science-based norms and standards and rebuild member states’ trust.
The WHO is expected to hold a leadership vote in May next year.
- Who
- Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Indonesia’s health minister and candidate for WHO director-general.
- What
- He called on the United States to rejoin the World Health Organization and said the WHO should focus on its core mandate.
- When
- He made the comments in an interview published October 6; the WHO leadership vote is expected in May next year.
- Where
- The interview was reported from Jakarta, Indonesia.
- Why
- Budi said countries cannot effectively respond to pandemics alone and that the WHO needs to regain member states’ trust.
Calls for US re-entry
US withdrawal and criticism
US participation in the WHO
Calls for US re-entry
Budi said the United States should rejoin and that many member states share that view.
US withdrawal and criticism
The United States officially withdrew in January; President Donald Trump accused the WHO of mishandling the COVID pandemic, a claim the organization denies.
WHO’s role and direction
Calls for US re-entry
Budi said the WHO should concentrate on setting science-based norms and standards and regain members’ trust.
US withdrawal and criticism
Budi said member states feel donor-backed institutions can direct countries to follow priorities set in Geneva, and that the WHO has taken on too many things.
- Candidate
- Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Indonesia’s health minister
- Leadership position
- Director-general of the World Health Organization
- Number of candidates
- Six
- Current director-general
- Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
- US withdrawal
- The United States officially withdrew from the WHO in January
- Expected vote
- May next year
- Budi’s proposed WHO focus
- Setting norms and standards based on science