23 May 2017 – Today 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 will begin his five-year term on 1 July 2017. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus will succeed Dr Margaret Chan, who has been WHO’s Director-General since 1 January 2007.

• Press release
• Short biography
• Live webcast of the 70th WHA

26 May 2017 – Every year, national health administrations and former prize recipients submit nominations for prizes awarded for accomplishments in the field of public health. This year’s winners were presented with their awards during the plenary meeting of the Seventieth World Health Assembly.

• Sasakawa Health Prize
• United Arab Emirates Health Foundation Prize
• Dr LEE Jong-wook Memorial Prize for Public Health

The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of WHO. It is attended by all WHO Member States and focuses on a health agenda prepared by the Executive Board. The main functions of the World Health Assembly are to determine the policies of WHO, appoint the Director-General, supervise financial policies, and review and approve the proposed programme budget. The World Health Assembly is held annually in Geneva, Switzerland.

• Live webcast
• Address by Dr Chan, WHO Director-General
• Press release: 70th World Health Assembly opens in Geneva