World · Europe · 3 hrs ago
Four WHO Director-General hopefuls debate reform in Berlin
Four of the seven declared candidates to lead the World Health Organization took part in a public discussion in Berlin on 11 October 2026.
The event was held during the World Health Summit, which runs from 11 to 13 October.
The candidates discussed how to make global health institutions more responsive and how to reform the WHO.
The organisation is facing severe budget cuts and a 25 per cent workforce reduction after the United States withdrew and member states called for changes to global health institutions.
The four candidates offered different ideas, but observers said they gave few details about how reforms would be carried out.
Three declared candidates were absent, so they did not face questions at the event.
The summit continues through 13 October, while the WHO leadership election is upcoming.
Four of the seven declared candidates for WHO director-general took part in a public discussion on global health reform in Berlin.
The debate took place on 11 October at the 2026 World Health Summit.
The candidates discussed how to make global health institutions more responsive and fit for purpose.
The WHO is facing severe budget cuts and a 25 per cent workforce reduction, according to the article.
Observers said the candidates offered distinct positions but that the discussion lacked deep specifics.
- Who
- Four WHO director-general candidates: Hanan Al-Kuwari, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, María Neira and Gevorg Tamamyan.
- What
- They debated reform of global health institutions and the WHO.
- When
- 11 October 2026.
- Where
- The World Health Summit in Berlin, Germany.
- Why
- The candidates were addressing how to make global health institutions more responsive and fit for purpose.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The election of the next Director-General will take place at a pivotal moment for the World Health Organization and for global health more broadly.
We are meeting at a moment when health around the world is under pressure from several directions – conflict and geopolitical tensions, economic strains, climate crisis, and increasing inequities.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Candidates at debate
- 4 of 7 declared contenders
- Event
- 2026 World Health Summit
- Location
- Berlin, Germany
- WHO workforce reduction
- 25 per cent
Sources
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