Spain candidacy for WHO Director-General

Spain has officially nominated Dr. María Neira to lead the World Health Organization (WHO), entering a race to succeed outgoing Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Neira, a physician with two decades of experience within the WHO, has built a platform centered on primary disease prevention and the public health implications of climate change.

Neira is one of five confirmed candidates, alongside contenders from Belgium, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Indonesia. The election process involves the WHO Executive Board selecting a shortlist of up to three finalists, with the final decision to be made by the World Health Assembly in May 2027. The new leader is expected to take office in August 2027.

Neira’s candidacy has received support from 369 scientists across 35 countries, particularly experts in air quality who emphasize the need for leadership that prioritizes scientific evidence to combat environmental health risks. Neira has expressed a goal to ensure the WHO possesses a “solid architecture, stable finances, and a clear mandate to act as a global health authority.”