WHO Chief Race Explained: China’s Song Li in Fray

China has put forward Song Li as its candidate for WHO director-general. Here is how the race to lead the world’s top health body works.
The WHO director-general runs the UN health agency. The chief sets global health policy and leads responses to pandemics.
Member states nominate candidates. Six names are expected to be made public this year. The full list should come out in early November.
A 34-member executive board shortlists the names. The final vote happens at the World Health Assembly in 2027.
This race comes at a tough time for WHO. The United States is leaving the agency. That has created a funding crisis.
China is now the agency’s largest donor. Its nomination of Song Li carries weight. Song leads China’s health commission.
Other countries are expected to field candidates. The contest will test WHO’s independence amid big-power rivalry. The final vote will take place at the World Health Assembly in 2027.
Sources:
Leave a Reply