Candidates from 5 countries in race for next WHO chief

A fifth candidate has entered the race to lead the World Health Organization, the agency's website showed as the deadline for nominees closed overnight.

Spain's Maria Neira joined the competition on the last day for submissions on September 24, the WHO website showed.

Candidates from five countries have submitted applications to replace Ethiopia's Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as director-general of the WHO.

They are Qatar's Hanan Mohammed Al-Kuwari, Saudi Arabia's Hanan Balkhy, Belgium's Hans Kluge, Spain's Neira and Indonesia's Budi Gunadi Sadikin

Al-Kuwari is a former health minister; Balkhy is a physician who heads the WHO's Eastern Mediterranean office; Kluge is a physician and WHO's regional director for Europe; Neira is a physician and epidemiologist and former WHO director; Budi is Indonesia's health minister

A candidates' forum will take place in November and WHO's Executive Board will shortlist up to three of the candidates in January 2027.

Tedros has led the global health agency since 2017, overseeing its response to the COVID-19 pandemic and other outbreaks including Ebola and mpox.

During his tenure, the agency lost its top donor when the US ordered a withdrawal in 2025, with President Donald Trump accusing the WHO of mishandling COVID, a claim the organisation denies

-Reporting by Emma Farge. Editing by Kirsti Knolle and Mark Potter/Reuters