WHO Executive Board Adopts Process for Election of Next Director General, With Powerful Role for Poor African States

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Executive Board (EB) decided on Monday that the first forum for candidates aspiring to become the next Director General will be held on 18 November, where they will face questions from member states.

Meanwhile, some of Africa’s poorest countries will play a decisive role in choosing the next DG, thanks to their membership of the global body’s 34-member EB. The EB has the powerful task of shortlisting three candidates for election by the World Health Assembly (WHA) in 2027.

The Africa region’s seven representatives for the DG selection are Cabo Verde, the Central African Republic (CAR), Côte D’Ivoire, Guinea, Mozambique, South Sudan and Zimbabwe. CAR, South Sudan and Mozambique are among the 10 poorest countries in the world.

On the other end of the spectrum, China is the most powerful new addition to the EB, representing the Western Pacific Region (WPRO). 

WPRO decided at a closed meeting in October 2025 to nominate China to replace Australia, whose term expires this month, as previously reported by Health Policy Watch.

The closed-door nature of the WPRO proceedings suggests this was contentious, which is reinforced by the chair’s report noting that the equitable distribution of seats within WPRO will be revisited for a final decision sometime in 2026. 

Meanwhile, the contentious nature of selecting EB members in the WHO European Region spilt into the open during last week’s WHA, when Russia accused the United Kingdom of depriving it of a seat at the EB.

Georgia and the UK are Europe’s new EB representatives, replacing Switzerland and Ukraine whose terms end this month. The European Region decided a while back that its permanent members of the UN Security Council are entitled to EB membership for three out of every six years.

This accounts for the UK’s selection, with France already confirmed as its replacement. However, Russia, which is also on the Security Council, was not afforded the same rotating privileges and stood as a competing candidate for the seat ultimately won by Georgia.

Election process outlined

On 24 April, Dr Tedros issued an invitation to member states to make nominations for Director General by 24 September, officially kicking off a period of intense lobbying for the most powerful position in global health.

The official announcement of candidates for the post of Director-General will take place after the closure of the last regional committee session before the session of the Executive Board at which the nomination will take place (that is, on or after 29 October 2026

The EB, which met in Geneva on Monday, adopted a report by the Director General outlining the election process.

According to this process, two candidates’ forums will be convened by the WHO Secretariat to enable the candidates to make themselves and their vision known to member states. 

The first forum, starting on 18 November and continuing for not more than three consecutive days, depending on the number of initial candidates. Each candidate will get 60 minutes, made up of a 10-minute presentation followed by a question-and-answer session.

The second forum on 15 March 2027 will consist of a more interactive panel discussion between the candidates and member states.

Institutional stability

Addressing the EB on Monday, China said that the DG election procedures “established through Board consultations among member states over the past few years have played a positive role in maintaining institutional stability and continuity of work”.

China emphasised “the need to continue respecting the intergovernmental nature of the WHO, safeguarding the equal participation rights of all member states, especially developing countries, and providing sufficient opportunities for member states to learn about candidates in an objective, orderly, and transparent manner”.

Guinea supported the report, clarifying that potential candidates could attend regional meetings but not campaign during these, describing this as “excellent for the calm development [of the process]”.

Guinea also welcomed clarity on the status of internal candidates, who will be placed on special leave at half pay initially – then full pay if the EB nominates them as one of the three candidates for the WHA. 

“This differentiation between work within the WHO and campaigning is essential to preserve the integrity of the organisation,” said Guinea, which also supported the drawing of lots by region to determine the order of appearance of the candidates at the two public forums.

Germany, which is contemplating a couple of potential nominations, stressed that the “next DG will inherit an organisation that has gone through significant challenges. To be successful, we need to see [a candidate with] a commitment to champion necessary reform and a distinct focus for delivering on the organisation’s core mandate in the future”.

Germany wants its financial weight reflected as the largest global health donor following the US withdrawal from the WHO in January 2025.

The most likely German candidate is Helge Braun, Chief of Staff in former Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government, insiders told Health Policy Watch.

Norway noted that the new DG “will take office in a highly challenging and polarised time, multilaterally, financially, and globally. 

“He or she must have both political acumen, as well as excellent unifying and administrative skills. Previous leadership experience from a large organisation would be desirable, in addition to solid health experience and policy experience. The new DG must strive to ensure a reformed and strengthened WHO in a more unified, coordinated, and resource-efficient UN system,” said Norway.