Spain proposes María Neira to lead the WHO in 2027

The Spanish government has officially proposed María Neira, a physician and current World Health Organization (WHO) official, as a candidate to lead the organization starting in August 2027. Neira will succeed Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, whose term concludes then. The final decision is expected to be announced during the World Health Assembly in May 2027.

Neira, a specialist in endocrinology, public health, and nutrition, has extensive experience in humanitarian missions with Doctors Without Borders and has served as the president of Spain’s Food Safety Agency. Within the WHO, she has been a prominent advocate for addressing the links between climate change, air pollution, and global health.

Her candidacy has received support from 369 scientists across 35 countries, specifically experts in air quality. These supporters emphasize the need for WHO leadership that prioritizes scientific evidence and establishes international standards to combat environmental health risks. Neira has stated her goal is to ensure the WHO possesses a solid architecture, stable finances, and a clear mandate to act as a global health authority.