Riyadh, August 24, 2026, SPA -- The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced the nomination of Dr. Hanan Hassan Balkhy for the position of Director-General of the World Health Organization for the 2027–2032 term.
The nomination reflects the Kingdom’s belief in the pivotal role of the World Health Organization in strengthening global health security and supporting countries in building more efficient, sustainable, and resilient health systems capable of addressing current and future health challenges.
It also reflects Saudi Arabia’s firm commitment to supporting multilateral health cooperation and continuing its active contribution to international efforts aimed at strengthening prevention, preparedness, and response to health emergencies, advancing universal health coverage, and ensuring access to health services for communities most in need, in support of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Dr. Balkhy has extensive scientific and leadership experience in public health, infectious diseases, infection prevention and control, health security, health systems and international health. She has substantial leadership experience within the World Health Organization at all three levels, country, regional and global.
Most notably she has been elected as Regional Director of the World Health Organization for the Eastern Mediterranean and was the first Assistant Director-General for Antimicrobial Resistance.
Throughout her career, she has contributed to the development and implementation of numerous health initiatives and policies aimed at protecting communities and strengthening health system capacities.
Saudi Arabia’s nomination of Dr Balkhy reflects its aspiration to contribute to the continued development of the World Health Organization, strengthen its ability to respond to the needs of Member States, uphold the principles of equity, transparency, and efficiency, and build effective international partnerships that advance health and well-being worldwide.