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World

Five Candidates Vie for WHO Director-General Post as Nominations Close

Maria Neira of Spain became the fifth nominee for the World Health Organization's top job as the application period ended Sept. 24.

Gokhshtein Media

September 25, 2026

3 min read

Five Candidates Vie for WHO Director-General Post as Nominations Close

Key Points

GENEVA — Spain's Maria Neira entered the race to lead the World Health Organization on Sept.
The other nominees are Qatar's Hanan Mohammed Al-Kuwari, a former health minister; Saudi Arabia's Hanan Balkhy, a physician who heads the WHO's Eastern Mediterranean office; Belgium's Hans Kluge, the WHO's regional director for Europe; and Indonesia's Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Indonesia's health minister.
Neira is a physician and epidemiologist who previously served as a WHO director.

GENEVA — Spain's Maria Neira entered the race to lead the World Health Organization on Sept. 24, becoming the fifth candidate as the nomination deadline closed. Her submission completed the field of contenders vying for the global health agency's top position.

The other nominees are Qatar's Hanan Mohammed Al-Kuwari, a former health minister; Saudi Arabia's Hanan Balkhy, a physician who heads the WHO's Eastern Mediterranean office; Belgium's Hans Kluge, the WHO's regional director for Europe; and Indonesia's Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Indonesia's health minister.

Neira is a physician and epidemiologist who previously served as a WHO director.

The selection process will continue with a candidates forum in November. The WHO's Executive Board will convene in January 2027 to shortlist up to three nominees for consideration.

The next Director-General will replace Ethiopia's Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who has led the WHO since 2017. Tedros oversaw the international response to COVID-19, Ebola, mpox and other major outbreaks.

The WHO faced financial strain when the United States, its largest donor, announced a withdrawal under President Donald Trump in 2025. Trump accused the agency of mishandling its COVID-19 response. The WHO denied the accusations, saying its actions aligned with its mandate to coordinate global health efforts.

Gokhshtein Media

The Gokhshtein Media World Desk covers international conflicts, diplomacy, and elections — and what each one means for energy, shipping, currencies, and markets. About this desk →

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