The race to become the next Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) has officially expanded to five candidates after nominations closed, setting the stage for a closely watched leadership contest at the UN health agency.
The candidates seeking to succeed current WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus are:
Hanan Mohammed Al-Kuwari of Qatar, a former health minister.
Hanan Balkhy of Saudi Arabia, a physician and head of the WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office.
Hans Kluge of Belgium, a physician and WHO Regional Director for Europe.
Maria Neira of Spain, a physician, epidemiologist, and former WHO director.
Budi Gunadi Sadikin of Indonesia, the country’s current health minister.
The selection process will continue with a candidates’ forum in November, where the contenders are expected to present their priorities and vision for the organization. The WHO Executive Board will then shortlist up to three candidates in January 2027, ahead of a final vote by member states.
The next Director-General will inherit leadership of one of the world’s most influential health organizations at a time of continued focus on pandemic preparedness, global health equity, and disease surveillance.
Current WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has led the agency since 2017, overseeing international responses to major health emergencies including the COVID-19 pandemic, Ebola outbreaks, and the global mpox response.
His tenure has also seen political challenges. In 2025, the United States under President Donald Trump moved to withdraw from the organization, accusing the WHO of mishandling aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic, allegations the organization has consistently denied.
The upcoming leadership election is expected to attract significant international attention as governments evaluate which candidate is best positioned to guide the WHO through future health crises and strengthen global cooperation on public health challenges.
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