Belgium nominates Hans Kluge as WHO Director-General

Brussels – “The Government of Belgium has nominated me for the position of WHO (World Health Organisation, ed) Director-General,” Dr Hans Kluge announced today (21 August) on his social media. “I am deeply honoured by the trust and confidence Belgium has placed in me, and grateful for the opportunity to stand for this important responsibility.”

Since 2020, Kluge has served as Director-General of the WHO Regional Office for Europe. He said that, effective today, he will be “on special leave from his post”, in accordance with the Organisation’s established procedures. The Belgian emphasised that during this period he looks forward “to engaging with Member States, partners and civil society, listening to their perspectives, and exchanging views on the future of our Organisation and global health.” He also reiterated that the European Regional Office will continue its “important work will continue under the capable leadership of Dr Corinne Capuano,” who will take his place and to whom he wished “every success”. Kluge went on to reaffirm that “his commitment to WHO, its Member States and the values of our Organisation will remain unwavering”, expressing deep respect for the “outstanding leadership” of the current Director-General of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The Ethiopian “has guided WHO through some of the most challenging moments in global health” and is currently serving his second and last mandate.

Kluge joined the WHO in 1999 as head of the tuberculosis project at the WHO Country Office in the Russian Federation. In 2009, he was transferred to the WHO Regional Office for Europe, where he served as Regional Director from 2020 to 2025, leading the office through several unprecedented health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

The World Health Assembly elects the WHO Director-General on the recommendation of the Executive Board, both of which are organs of the Organisation. The term in office lasts five years and is renewable only once. Initially, WHO Member States propose the names of candidates, who will present their ideas to the Organisation’s Member States during a public forum. Subsequently, the Executive Board – comprising technical experts – will assess their profiles and carry out two rounds of selection. It will then be the Organisation’s Assembly, which brings together all 194 Member States to examine the proposed names and proceed to the vote.

“Serving WHO has been the greatest privilege of my professional life,” the Belgian concluded, reiterating that he will approach this new chapter “with humility, optimism and a steadfast commitment to the values that unite us in improving health for all.”

English version by the Translation Service of Withub