News Releases

Global Fund welcomes Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as Director-General of WHO

23 May 2017

GENEVA – The Global Fund congratulates Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on his election as the new Director-General of World Health Organization.

“WHO is a key partner of the Global Fund in our work together to end epidemics and to create strong systems for health that contribute to greater global health security,” said Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the Global Fund. “Dr. Tedros is already a distinguished leader in global health, and he can do great things at WHO. We offer our full support and congratulations.”

Dr. Tedros has been closely involved with the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in particular, having served as Chair of the Global Fund Board, Chair of the Programme Coordinating Board for UNAIDS, Chair of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership, and Ethiopia’s Minister for Health. He has a long record of building strong, resilient and sustainable systems for health at the country level, empowering communities to respond to health crises, and working with governments and global health leaders to respond to public health emergencies. 

“Dr. Tedros’ leadership will be crucial as the world seeks to accelerate efforts to end HIV, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics as well as address emerging health threats to global health security like antimicrobial resistance,” said Dr. Dybul. “His pledge to transform WHO and focus on universal health coverage, health security, women, children and adolescents, and the health impacts of climate and environmental change highlights comprehensive but urgent themes that will be transformative to global health.”