Former elections of WHO Director-Generals
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Credits
The election process began in April 2021 when Member States were invited to submit proposals for candidates for the Director-General position.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was proposed as a candidate by several Member States, and was the only candidate proposed. The Executive Board at its 150th session in January 2022 nominated him for the post of Director-General of WHO.
The nomination was considered by the Seventy-fifth World Health Assembly in May 2022 and Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was re-appointed as the Director-General by secret ballot on 24 May. His second 5-year term began on 16 August 2022. A Director-General can be re-appointed once.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: curriculum vitae, supporting statement and nomination letters
On 23 May 2017 the Member States of WHO elected Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as the new Director-General of WHO.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was nominated by the Government of Ethiopia, and began his 5-year term on 1 July 2017. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus succeeded Dr Margaret Chan, who was WHO’s Director-General since 1 January 2007.
Background information
Nomination of the Director-General: information note
EB130/INF:DOC:/1, 15 November 2011
Election Process for the WHO Director-General: documents
April 2016–May 2017
Handbook on the process for the election of the Director-General
Candidates for the post of Director-General
The candidates shortlisted by the Executive Board for the post of Director-General on 27 January 2017 were:
- Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
- Dr Flavia Bustreo
- Professor Philippe Douste-Blazy
- Dr David Nabarro
- Dr Sania Nishtar
The World Health Assembly appointed Dr Margaret Chan for a second five-year term as Director-General of WHO at its sixty-fifth session in May 2012. Dr Chan's second term lasted between 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2017.
As required by the WHO Constitution, the Director-General is appointed by the Health Assembly on nomination by the WHO Executive Board. The Executive Board nominated Dr Chan for a second term at its 130th session in January 2012.
Dr Chan was appointed to her first appointment as Director-General in November 2006.
In accordance with Executive Board resolution EB120.R19, Dr Chan's curriculum vitae and supporting information, as provided to WHO Member States, can be read here:
Dr Margaret Chan: curriculum vitae and supporting statement
Background information
Nomination of the Director-General: information note
EB130/INF:DOC:/1, 15 November 2011
Review of matters arising from the special and 118th sessions of the EB
Director-General and Deputy Director-General of the World Health Organization, EB120 R19
Candidates for the post of Director-General
Only one candidate, Dr Chan, was proposed to the Executive Board.
The process to elect the new Director-General of WHO took place in Geneva from 6 to 9 November 2006. Dr Margaret Chan of China was nominated as Director-General by the WHO Executive Board and her appointment was confirmed by the World Health Assembly.
Dr. Chan took up her duties as Director-General on 4 January 2007.
Background information
Dr LEE Jong-wook, former Director-General of WHO, died suddenly on 22 May 2006, two years before the end of his five-year term. As a result, the WHO Executive Board decided to accelerate the process to elect a new Director-General.
Dr Anders Nordström (then WHO Assistant Director-General, General Management) was appointed by the Executive Board on 23 May 2006 to serve as Acting Director-General of WHO until the new Director-General took office.
Nomination of the Director-General: information note
EB119/INF.DOC./1, 6 September 2006
The Resolution to accelerate the election of the DG
EB118/20, 27 May 2006
Candidates for the post of Director-General
The candidates shortlisted by the Executive Board for the post of Director-General on 6 November 2006 were:
- Dr Kazem Behbehani
- Dr Margaret Chan
- Dr Julio Frenk
- Dr Shigeru Omi
- Ms Elena Salgado
Dr Lee was elected by the World Health Assembly on 21 May 2003 following his nomination to the post at the Executive Board meeting in January that same year.
Dr Lee succeeded Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, who had been WHO Director-General since 1998 and whose decision not to stand for a second term was announced in August 2002. Dr Lee took office and started his five-year term 21 July 2003.
Background information
Nomination of the Director-General: information note
EB111/INF:DOC:/1, 16 September 2002
Candidates for the post of Director-General
The candidates shortlisted by the Executive Board for the post of Director-General on 21 January 2003 were:
- Dr Julio Frenk, Mexico
- Dr Jong Wook Lee, Republic of Korea
- Dr Pascoal Manuel Mocumbi, Mozambique
- Dr Peter Piot, Belgium
- Professor Ismail Sallam, Egypt
Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland took office as Director-General of the World Health Organization on 21 July 1998. Dr Brundtland was nominated by WHO's Executive Board on 27 January and elected to the post on 13 May by the Member States of WHO. Her term of office ended on 21 July 2003.
In her acceptance speech for the World Health Assembly, Dr Brundtland said: "What is our Key mission? I see WHO's role as being the moral voice and the technical leader in improving health of the people of the world. Ready and able to give advice on the key issues that can unleash development and alleviate suffering. I see our purpose to be combating disease and ill-health - promoting sustainable and equitable health systems in all countries".
In January 1988 the WHO Executive Board elected Dr Hiroshi Nakajima as the fourth Director-General of WHO, succeeding Dr Halfdan Mahler.
Dr Hiroshi Nakajima was appointed for a second five-year term as Director-General of WHO in May 1993.
Dr Hiroshi Nakajima decided not to seek re-election for a third term, and ended his tenure as Director-General of WHO in July 1998.
Dr Halfdan Theodor Mahler was elected as WHO's third Director-General in 1973. He was re-elected for two successive five-year terms in 1978 and 1983 respectively.
Dr Marcolino Gomes Candau was elected as WHO’s second Director-General from 1953 to 1973. Dr Candau was re-elected three times and served a total of 20 years.
Dr George Brock Chisholm was appointed as WHO’s first Director-General on 21 July 1948. He ended his tenure in 1953 after deciding to not seek re-election.
1948: a new health organization is born