Documents concerning the election process for the WHO Director-General

  1. Article 31 of WHO Constitution.
     
  2. Rule 62 of the Rules of Procedure of the Executive Board (as amended by the Board through decision EB147(12) (2020).
     
  3. Rules 108 to 114 of the Rules of Procedure of the Health Assembly.
     
  4. Decision WHA74(21) (2021) Process for the election of the Director-General of the World Health Organization: candidates’ statements and travel support.
     
  5. Decision EB149(4) (2021) Process for the election of the Director-General of the World Health Organization.
     
  6. Document EB149/4 (2021) Process for the election of the Director-General of the World Health Organization: candidates’ forums, nomination by the Executive Board.
     
  7. Decision WHA73(27) (2020) Evaluation of the election of the Director-General of the World Health Organization: amendments to Annexes 1 and 2 to resolution WHA66.18 (2013).
     
  8. Decision WHA73(16) (2020) Evaluation of the election of the Director-General of the World Health Organization secret ballot and Director-General’s contract transition period.
     
  9. Decision EB146(22) (2020) Evaluation of the election of the Director-General of the World Health Organization.
     
  10. Resolution WHA66.18 (2013) Follow-up on the report of the Working Group on the election of the Director-General of the World Health Organization.
     
  11. Resolution WHA65.15 (2012) Election of the Director-General of the World Health Organization.
     
  12. Resolution EB120.R19 (2007) Director-General and Deputy Director-General of the World Health Organization: review of matters arising from the special and 118th sessions of the Executive Board.
     
  13. EB100(7) (1997) Implementation of Rule 52 of the Rules of Procedure of the Executive Board: nomination for the post of Director-General.

 

Code of Conduct for the Election of the Director-General

Consolidated text of the Code of Conduct adopted by the Health Assembly through resolution WHA66.18 and amended through decision WHA73(27).

 

Web forum*

Paragraph II.11of the Code of Conduct for the Election of the Director-General of the World Health Organization.

 

Candidates’ forums*

  1. Annex 2 to Decision WHA73(27) (2020).
     
  2. Dates of the first and second candidates’ forums: in accordance with decision EB159(3) (2026), the first candidates’ forum will be held starting on 18 November 2026 for a duration to be decided by the Officers of the Board, depending on the number of candidates. The second candidates’ forum will be held on 15 March 2027. Both forums will be held only if there is more than one candidate.
     
  3. Detailed arrangements applicable to the interviews of candidates at the first candidates’ forum: contained in the Annex to decision EB159(3) (2026).
     
  4. Detailed arrangements applicable at the second candidates’ forum: to be decided by the Executive Board at its 160th session.
     
  5. Travel support to candidates attending the candidates’ forums: decision WHA74(21) (2021).

 

Key timeline until EB160

24 April 2026: C.L. 16.2026 sent to Member States to launch the process.

24 September 2026 (18:00 CEST): deadline for submission of candidatures.

On or after 29 October 2026: announcement of candidates.

18 November 2026: first candidates’ forum (duration will depend on the number of candidates but maximum 3 days).

November 2026: opening of the Web Forum.

January 2027 (EB160): shortlisting and nomination of up to 3 candidates by the Executive Board.

A dedicated Member States Information Session will be held in September 2026 (date to be confirmed).

 

Additional resources

* The web forum and the candidates’ forums will not be convened if there is only one candidate for the position of Director-General.