Qatar’s former health minister nominated for WHO Director-General post

Qatar nominates former health minister Dr Hanan Al Kuwari for WHO director-general, putting her among four candidates vying to succeed Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in 2027Qatar has nominated former Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari for the position of Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), making her one of four prospective candidates currently listed by the global health agency.Al Kuwari, who served as Qatar’s Minister of Public Health from 2016 to 2024, is competing alongside Saudi Arabia’s Dr Hanan Balkhy, Belgium’s WHO Europe chief Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge and Indonesia’s Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin.The election will determine the successor to current WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, whose second five-year term ends on 15 August 2027.The WHO Executive Board is expected to shortlist and nominate up to three candidates in January 2027. The final appointment will then be made by the World Health Assembly in May 2027, with the successful candidate due to take office on 16 August 2027 for a five-year term.What this nomination meansThis nomination places Qatar among the countries seeking to lead the United Nations specialised agency responsible for the global public health.If selected, Al Kuwari would oversee the WHO’s technical and administrative work and support Member States in advancing global public health. Her candidacy also highlights Qatar’s growing role in international health, building on her previous leadership within the WHO, including her tenure as chair of the WHO Executive Board from 2023 to 2024. Background and experience Al Kuwari served as Qatar’s Minister of Public Health from 2016 to 2024 and was Managing Director of Hamad Medical Corporation from 2007 to 2024.She led Qatar’s public healthcare system through the COVID-19 pandemic and oversaw preparations for the country’s medical services during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.She also chaired the WHO Executive Board and presented its report to the World Health Assembly in 2024.Her international recognition includes election to the US National Academy of Medicine in 2018.