Election process

Election of the Regional Director

The Regional Director is appointed by WHO’s Executive Board in agreement with the WHO Regional Committee for Europe. The appointment of a Regional Director is for 5 years, and he or she is eligible for reappointment once only.

The Director-General informs each Member State of the Region, at least 11 months before the opening session of the Regional Committee at which a person is due to be nominated as Regional Director, that he will receive proposals for the names of candidates for nomination. Any Member State of the Region may propose one or more people for the post of Regional Director. The Regional Director is elected by secret ballot at a private meeting of the Regional Committee.

On 3 February 2020, WHO’s Executive Board approved the nomination of Dr Hans Kluge for the position of WHO Regional Director for Europe.