Director-General of the World Health Organization


The World Health Organization is led by a Director-General, who is appointed by, and responsible to the World Health Assembly.

Overview

The term of the DGWHO lasts for 5 years. Directors-General can be and have been appointed for multiple subsequent terms, such as Marcolino Gomes Candau who served for four consecutive terms. The DGWHO is typically appointed in May, when the WHA meets.
The current Director-General is Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who was appointed on 1 July 2017.

Selection process

Candidates for Director-General can be proposed by member states, then nominated by the Executive Board and appointed by the World Health Assembly.