Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Five Candidates Compete to Lead WHO After Nominations Close
The World Health Organization is choosing a new leader.
Five people from five countries have applied for the job.
They are from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Spain and Indonesia.
Most of the candidates have worked as doctors, health ministers or senior health officials.
They will take part in a forum in November.
In January 2027, the WHO’s Executive Board will choose up to three finalists.
The final selection will replace Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Tedros has led the organization since 2017, including during the COVID-19 pandemic and other outbreaks.
The WHO rejects claims that it handled COVID-19 badly.
Five candidates from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Spain and Indonesia entered the race to lead the World Health Organization.
The candidates are Hanan Mohammed Al-Kuwari, Hanan Balkhy, Hans Kluge, Maria Neira and Budi Gunadi Sadikin.
The candidates’ backgrounds include health ministers, physicians, an epidemiologist and senior WHO officials.
A candidates’ forum is scheduled for November, while the Executive Board will shortlist up to three candidates in January 2027.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has led the WHO since 2017; the organization denies accusations that it mishandled COVID-19.
- Who
- Hanan Mohammed Al-Kuwari, Hanan Balkhy, Hans Kluge, Maria Neira and Budi Gunadi Sadikin are the five candidates.
- What
- They are competing to replace Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as Director-General of the World Health Organization.
- When
- Nominations closed on September 25; a candidates’ forum is planned for November and shortlisting for January 2027.
- Where
- The race is for leadership of the World Health Organization, whose headquarters are in Geneva.
- Why
- The candidates seek to succeed Tedros, who has led the WHO since 2017.
World Health Organization
Donald Trump
Handling of COVID-19
World Health Organization
The WHO denies that it mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump accused the WHO of mishandling COVID-19.
- Number of candidates
- Five
- Candidate countries
- Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Spain and Indonesia
- Current Director-General
- Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
- Candidates’ forum
- Scheduled for November
- Shortlisting
- The WHO Executive Board will shortlist up to three candidates in January 2027
- Tedros’s tenure
- He has led the WHO since 2017
- Disputed issue
- Donald Trump accused the WHO of mishandling COVID-19; the WHO denies the claim