In an inspiring milestone for global healthcare and women in leadership, Saudi Arabia has nominated Dr. Hanan Balkhy to lead the World Health Organization (WHO). This prestigious nomination reflects the Kingdom’s steadfast commitment to fostering international health cooperation, elevating crisis preparedness and response, and ensuring equitable access to healthcare—especially for the world’s most vulnerable communities. These ambitious goals seamlessly align with the Kingdom’s broader vision for sustainable development.
Dr. Balkhy brings a distinguished career to the international stage, backed by deep expertise across public health, infectious diseases, infection prevention, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), health security, and health systems development. Her extensive tenure within the World Health Organization spans national, regional, and global levels.
Key milestones in her remarkable professional journey include serving as the WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean and holding the position of Assistant Director-General for Antimicrobial Resistance at WHO headquarters. Throughout her career, she has spearheaded the design and implementation of vital health programs and policies focused on safeguarding communities, mitigating health risks, and reinforcing the readiness of health systems to face evolving challenges.
Saudi Arabia’s nomination of Dr. Hanan Balkhy highlights its commitment to supporting the continuous development of the WHO and enhancing its service to member states. It also underscores the Kingdom’s dedication to building an agile global health organization centered on equity, transparency, and efficiency—while expanding strategic partnerships between nations and health institutions to uplift human health and well-being worldwide.
Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Health Organization (WHO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. The WHO coordinates global health efforts, sets health standards, supports nations during health crises, and works tirelessly to enhance community well-being across the globe.
