Speculation has long centred on the Belgian physician’s potential bid to lead the global health organisation
Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization’s regional director for Europe, has announced his candidacy to succeed Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as the agency’s next director-general.
“The Government of Belgium has nominated me for the position of WHO director-general,” Kluge wrote on Friday on social media.
The Belgian physician has led the WHO Regional Office for Europe, based in Copenhagen, since 2020. His announcement confirms long-standing speculation that he would seek to succeed Tedros, whose second and final term as WHO director-general expires in August 2027.
Kluge also announced that he will take special leave from his role as regional director, in line with WHO procedures governing leadership elections. During his absence, Corinne Capuano, the organisation’s director of programme management, will serve in an acting capacity.
