Qatar’s former health minister HE Dr Hanan Al-Kuwari nominated for WHO Director-General post

Doha, Qatar - HE Dr Hanan Al-Kuwari, Qatar's former Health Minister, has been nominated to become the next Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). Dr Al-Kuwari's nomination follows the current Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, whose term ends on August 15, 2027. The International Media Office praised Dr Al-Kuwari's extensive public health experience and her vision to unite countries and communities to enhance health systems and outcomes globally.

Four candidates have been shortlisted for the position, including Dr Hanan Balkhy from Saudi Arabia, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge from Belgium, and Mr Budi Gunadi Sadikin from Indonesia. The Director-General is responsible for serving as the chief technical and administrative officer of the organization, leading global health issues, representing WHO internationally, and supporting Member States in advancing global public health.

The election process commenced on April 24, 2026, following Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus' invitation to Member States to submit candidatures. The deadline for submitting proposals is September 24, 2026. The Executive Board will nominate up to three candidates at its 160th session in 2027, which will be reviewed by the World Health Assembly, the supreme decision-making body of WHO, composed of all WHO Member States.

The new Director-General will assume office on August 16, 2027, for a five-year term, with the possibility of a single reappointment for a maximum of two terms.