Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus re-elected WHO Director-General for second term

WHO Member States re-elected Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as Director-General of the world's leading public health agency for a second five-year term today. Dr Tedros was elected for the first time in 2017.

During the 75th World Health Assembly on 24 May 2022, in Geneva, his re-election was confirmed. He was the sole contender.

“I am humbled by the opportunity provided by Member States to serve a second term as WHO Director-General,” said Dr Tedros. “This honour, though, comes with great responsibility and I am committed to working with all countries, my colleagues around the world, and our valued partners, to ensure WHO delivers on its mission to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable.”

Tuesday’s vote was the culmination of an election process that began in April 2021 when Member States were invited to submit proposals for candidates for the post of Director-General. Dr Tedros was nominated for a second term by the WHO Executive Board in January 2022.

During his first term, Dr Tedros implemented a wide-ranging Transformation of the WHO, with the goal of increasing the Organization's efficiency and impact at the country level to promote healthier lives, protect more people in emergencies, and increase equitable access to health.

He also oversaw WHO's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the health consequences of numerous other humanitarian crises.

Dr Tedros previously served as Ethiopia's Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2012 to 2016, as well as its Minister of Health from 2005 to 2012.

He has also served as chair of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria's Board of Directors, as chair of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership Board, and as co-chair of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health's Board.