Saudi Arabia Nominates Hanan Balkhy to Lead WHO for 2027–2032 Term
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Saudi Arabia has nominated Dr. Hanan Hassan Balkhy for Director-General of the World Health Organization for the 2027–2032 term, placing the current WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean in the race to succeed Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, whose second term ends in August 2027.
Balkhy has served as WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean since February 2024, becoming the first woman to hold the post. She previously worked at WHO headquarters as Assistant Director-General for Antimicrobial Resistance.
Her career spans public health, infectious diseases, infection prevention and control, health security and health systems. Before taking senior international roles, Balkhy held infection-control leadership positions in Saudi Arabia and completed medical training in paediatrics and paediatric infectious diseases in the United States.
The nomination does not mean Balkhy has been appointed to the position. WHO Member States have until September 24, 2026, to submit candidates. The Executive Board will shortlist and nominate up to three candidates in January 2027, with the World Health Assembly choosing the next Director-General by secret ballot in May. The successful candidate will take office on August 16, 2027.
WHO's current list of prospective candidates also includes Qatar's Hanan Mohammed Al-Kuwari, Belgium's Hans Henri P. Kluge and Indonesia's Budi Gunadi Sadikin, setting up a competitive international selection process ahead of next year's vote.
If elected, Balkhy would move from leading one of WHO's six regions to its top technical and administrative position, responsible for global health leadership, oversight of the organization and coordination with Member States on major public-health challenges.
