Following the sudden and untimely death of Regional Director-elect, Dr Faustine Ndugulile in November 2024, the WHO Regional Committee for Africa held a special session virtually on 14 January 2025 to decide on the procedure of the election of the next Regional Director.
The Committee decided on an accelerated procedure to nominate and appoint the next Regional Director. Member States were invited to submit proposals for the post of Regional Director by 28 February 2025. Thereafter, a virtual live candidates’ forum will be held on 2 April 2025.
Any Member State of the Region may propose a candidate for the post of Regional Director. The Regional Director is elected by secret ballot at a private meeting of the Regional Committee session.
An in-person special session of the Regional Committee for Africa will be convened on 18 May 2025 in Geneva to nominate the next Regional Director.
The Regional Director is appointed by the WHO Executive Board following his/her nomination by the WHO Regional Committee for Africa. The appointment of the Regional Director shall be for five years, and he or she shall be eligible for reappointment only once.
Candidates for the post of WHO Regional Director for Africa
Background documents:
- Rules of Procedure of the Regional Committee for Africa
- WHO Constitution (Article 52)
- Executive Board Rules of Procedure (Rule 56)
- Code of Conduct for the nomination of the Regional Director
Related link:
Candidates' Forum for WHO Regional Director for Africa