The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially listed seven candidates running for the role of Director-General: Hanan Mohamed Al-Kuwari, Hanan Balkhy, Hans Henri P. Kluge, Maria P. Neira, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Lee Sun, and Ghebreyesus Tamamian. Their biographies are available in all official languages. A candidate forum will take place in Geneva on November 18-19, 2026, and will be broadcast online. In early 2027, the Executive Board will narrow the selection to five nominees, eventually proposing a maximum of three for final consideration. The new Director-General will be appointed by the World Health Assembly in May 2027 and will assume office on August 16, 2027.