BREAKING: China Confirms Song Li’s WHO Leadership Bid, Reshuffling Race Amidst Fraught Multilateral Landscape 08/10/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Beijing confirmed the nomination of National Health Commission official Dr Song Li for WHO Director-General on Thursday (8 October). The move expands the candidate field to seven amidst severe geopolitical ruptures shaking up the agency, with experts warning this move could further heighten superpower tensions. In announcing the bid, Chinese officials framed the candidacy around […] Continue reading -> EXCLUSIVE: One Doctor, Eight Billion Patients: After Stepping Back from the WHO Race, What I Stand For in the AI Society – Jiho Cha’s Story 08/10/2026 Jiho Cha I sought to lead the World Health Organization (WHO) because the rules of intelligence are becoming the rules of health. My name will not be on the ballot. The responsibility remains. I will now work to organise the political and economic power needed to put intelligence at the service of humanity – and to keep […] Continue reading -> BREAKING: China Has Nominated Candidate for WHO Director General Whose Name Remains Undisclosed 06/10/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher & Felix Sassmannshausen China has nominated a prominent Chinese health official for WHO Director General in the 2027 elections, multiple diplomatic sources have confirmed to Health Policy Watch. But there are mixed reports about who that candidate actually may be. Some high-level sources have cited Song Li, a senior Chinese Communist Party official who mounted a failed bid […] Continue reading -> Reclaiming ‘Health Sovereignty’: EU Gastein Forum Confronts a Fragmenting Global Order 05/10/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Global health has moved from an area of mutual cooperation to one dominated by “high politics” and division, observed Ilona Kickbusch at the European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG) last Friday (2 October). Leading the closing panel, the founder of the Global Health Centre at the Graduate Institute in Geneva, highlighted how recent voting at the […] Continue reading -> Global Fund Leadership Shortlist Unveiled Amid Donor Friction and Push for Reform 01/10/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The shortlist of five finalists to serve as the next Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was published on Wednesday (30 September), launching the final phase of its leadership search. By narrowing the global applicant field to five candidates, the Global Fund’s Executive Director Nomination Committee (EDNC) has taken […] Continue reading -> Progress on Nutrition Has Stalled But Accountability and Integration Can Accelerate Impact 01/10/2026 Irshad Danish & Supreet Kaur Progress towards global nutrition targets is too slow, and rising food prices threaten to put healthy diets even further out of reach for many, according to the 2026 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World published recently by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Even before delivery systems began to strain under the […] Continue reading -> The Health Case for Investment in Clean Air in Africa 28/09/2026 Pallavi Pant, Xoli Fuyani & Obianuju Ozoh Lisa Sama is a 19-year-old medical student in Cameroon. As far back as she can remember, she has lived with asthma, and in recent years, she has turned her attention to the role that air pollution plays in her health. “From the very beginning, my life involved inhalers, medication, hospital visits, and many sleepless nights. […] Continue reading -> UN Declaration on Pandemic Readiness May Head to General Assembly for Approval 25/09/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The Political Declaration on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response was not approved by consensus by the United Nations General Assembly, and is likely to be put to a vote at a later stage on the UN calendar. Objections by the United States and a few other states appeared to block a consensus agreement on the […] Continue reading -> As WHO Nominations For Next Director-General Close, Six Contenders Emerge – But More May Remain Under Seal 25/09/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Following the statutory WHO nomination deadline for the next Director-General, six candidates have now been publicly declared on the agency’s prospective candidate page. While oncologist Dr Gevorg Tamamyan has been proposed in a cross-regional nomination by Botswana, sources with knowledge of the process said Gavi CEO Dr Sania Nishtar was reportedly not nominated by Pakistan. […] Continue reading -> As Deadline Nears, Civil Society Urges Spain to Nominate María Neira in WHO DG Election 21/09/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen With Thursday’s 24 September deadline looming, international scientific societies and civil society leaders are pushing Spain to sponsor a last-minute nomination of Dr María Neira as candidate in the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General election. Neira is WHO’s former Director for Environment, Climate Change and Health, and her nomination has been endorsed by Nobel Peace […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
EXCLUSIVE: One Doctor, Eight Billion Patients: After Stepping Back from the WHO Race, What I Stand For in the AI Society – Jiho Cha’s Story 08/10/2026 Jiho Cha I sought to lead the World Health Organization (WHO) because the rules of intelligence are becoming the rules of health. My name will not be on the ballot. The responsibility remains. I will now work to organise the political and economic power needed to put intelligence at the service of humanity – and to keep […] Continue reading -> BREAKING: China Has Nominated Candidate for WHO Director General Whose Name Remains Undisclosed 06/10/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher & Felix Sassmannshausen China has nominated a prominent Chinese health official for WHO Director General in the 2027 elections, multiple diplomatic sources have confirmed to Health Policy Watch. But there are mixed reports about who that candidate actually may be. Some high-level sources have cited Song Li, a senior Chinese Communist Party official who mounted a failed bid […] Continue reading -> Reclaiming ‘Health Sovereignty’: EU Gastein Forum Confronts a Fragmenting Global Order 05/10/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Global health has moved from an area of mutual cooperation to one dominated by “high politics” and division, observed Ilona Kickbusch at the European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG) last Friday (2 October). Leading the closing panel, the founder of the Global Health Centre at the Graduate Institute in Geneva, highlighted how recent voting at the […] Continue reading -> Global Fund Leadership Shortlist Unveiled Amid Donor Friction and Push for Reform 01/10/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The shortlist of five finalists to serve as the next Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was published on Wednesday (30 September), launching the final phase of its leadership search. By narrowing the global applicant field to five candidates, the Global Fund’s Executive Director Nomination Committee (EDNC) has taken […] Continue reading -> Progress on Nutrition Has Stalled But Accountability and Integration Can Accelerate Impact 01/10/2026 Irshad Danish & Supreet Kaur Progress towards global nutrition targets is too slow, and rising food prices threaten to put healthy diets even further out of reach for many, according to the 2026 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World published recently by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Even before delivery systems began to strain under the […] Continue reading -> The Health Case for Investment in Clean Air in Africa 28/09/2026 Pallavi Pant, Xoli Fuyani & Obianuju Ozoh Lisa Sama is a 19-year-old medical student in Cameroon. As far back as she can remember, she has lived with asthma, and in recent years, she has turned her attention to the role that air pollution plays in her health. “From the very beginning, my life involved inhalers, medication, hospital visits, and many sleepless nights. […] Continue reading -> UN Declaration on Pandemic Readiness May Head to General Assembly for Approval 25/09/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The Political Declaration on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response was not approved by consensus by the United Nations General Assembly, and is likely to be put to a vote at a later stage on the UN calendar. Objections by the United States and a few other states appeared to block a consensus agreement on the […] Continue reading -> As WHO Nominations For Next Director-General Close, Six Contenders Emerge – But More May Remain Under Seal 25/09/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Following the statutory WHO nomination deadline for the next Director-General, six candidates have now been publicly declared on the agency’s prospective candidate page. While oncologist Dr Gevorg Tamamyan has been proposed in a cross-regional nomination by Botswana, sources with knowledge of the process said Gavi CEO Dr Sania Nishtar was reportedly not nominated by Pakistan. […] Continue reading -> As Deadline Nears, Civil Society Urges Spain to Nominate María Neira in WHO DG Election 21/09/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen With Thursday’s 24 September deadline looming, international scientific societies and civil society leaders are pushing Spain to sponsor a last-minute nomination of Dr María Neira as candidate in the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General election. Neira is WHO’s former Director for Environment, Climate Change and Health, and her nomination has been endorsed by Nobel Peace […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
BREAKING: China Has Nominated Candidate for WHO Director General Whose Name Remains Undisclosed 06/10/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher & Felix Sassmannshausen China has nominated a prominent Chinese health official for WHO Director General in the 2027 elections, multiple diplomatic sources have confirmed to Health Policy Watch. But there are mixed reports about who that candidate actually may be. Some high-level sources have cited Song Li, a senior Chinese Communist Party official who mounted a failed bid […] Continue reading -> Reclaiming ‘Health Sovereignty’: EU Gastein Forum Confronts a Fragmenting Global Order 05/10/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Global health has moved from an area of mutual cooperation to one dominated by “high politics” and division, observed Ilona Kickbusch at the European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG) last Friday (2 October). Leading the closing panel, the founder of the Global Health Centre at the Graduate Institute in Geneva, highlighted how recent voting at the […] Continue reading -> Global Fund Leadership Shortlist Unveiled Amid Donor Friction and Push for Reform 01/10/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The shortlist of five finalists to serve as the next Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was published on Wednesday (30 September), launching the final phase of its leadership search. By narrowing the global applicant field to five candidates, the Global Fund’s Executive Director Nomination Committee (EDNC) has taken […] Continue reading -> Progress on Nutrition Has Stalled But Accountability and Integration Can Accelerate Impact 01/10/2026 Irshad Danish & Supreet Kaur Progress towards global nutrition targets is too slow, and rising food prices threaten to put healthy diets even further out of reach for many, according to the 2026 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World published recently by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Even before delivery systems began to strain under the […] Continue reading -> The Health Case for Investment in Clean Air in Africa 28/09/2026 Pallavi Pant, Xoli Fuyani & Obianuju Ozoh Lisa Sama is a 19-year-old medical student in Cameroon. As far back as she can remember, she has lived with asthma, and in recent years, she has turned her attention to the role that air pollution plays in her health. “From the very beginning, my life involved inhalers, medication, hospital visits, and many sleepless nights. […] Continue reading -> UN Declaration on Pandemic Readiness May Head to General Assembly for Approval 25/09/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The Political Declaration on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response was not approved by consensus by the United Nations General Assembly, and is likely to be put to a vote at a later stage on the UN calendar. Objections by the United States and a few other states appeared to block a consensus agreement on the […] Continue reading -> As WHO Nominations For Next Director-General Close, Six Contenders Emerge – But More May Remain Under Seal 25/09/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Following the statutory WHO nomination deadline for the next Director-General, six candidates have now been publicly declared on the agency’s prospective candidate page. While oncologist Dr Gevorg Tamamyan has been proposed in a cross-regional nomination by Botswana, sources with knowledge of the process said Gavi CEO Dr Sania Nishtar was reportedly not nominated by Pakistan. […] Continue reading -> As Deadline Nears, Civil Society Urges Spain to Nominate María Neira in WHO DG Election 21/09/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen With Thursday’s 24 September deadline looming, international scientific societies and civil society leaders are pushing Spain to sponsor a last-minute nomination of Dr María Neira as candidate in the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General election. Neira is WHO’s former Director for Environment, Climate Change and Health, and her nomination has been endorsed by Nobel Peace […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
Reclaiming ‘Health Sovereignty’: EU Gastein Forum Confronts a Fragmenting Global Order 05/10/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Global health has moved from an area of mutual cooperation to one dominated by “high politics” and division, observed Ilona Kickbusch at the European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG) last Friday (2 October). Leading the closing panel, the founder of the Global Health Centre at the Graduate Institute in Geneva, highlighted how recent voting at the […] Continue reading -> Global Fund Leadership Shortlist Unveiled Amid Donor Friction and Push for Reform 01/10/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The shortlist of five finalists to serve as the next Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was published on Wednesday (30 September), launching the final phase of its leadership search. By narrowing the global applicant field to five candidates, the Global Fund’s Executive Director Nomination Committee (EDNC) has taken […] Continue reading -> Progress on Nutrition Has Stalled But Accountability and Integration Can Accelerate Impact 01/10/2026 Irshad Danish & Supreet Kaur Progress towards global nutrition targets is too slow, and rising food prices threaten to put healthy diets even further out of reach for many, according to the 2026 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World published recently by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Even before delivery systems began to strain under the […] Continue reading -> The Health Case for Investment in Clean Air in Africa 28/09/2026 Pallavi Pant, Xoli Fuyani & Obianuju Ozoh Lisa Sama is a 19-year-old medical student in Cameroon. As far back as she can remember, she has lived with asthma, and in recent years, she has turned her attention to the role that air pollution plays in her health. “From the very beginning, my life involved inhalers, medication, hospital visits, and many sleepless nights. […] Continue reading -> UN Declaration on Pandemic Readiness May Head to General Assembly for Approval 25/09/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The Political Declaration on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response was not approved by consensus by the United Nations General Assembly, and is likely to be put to a vote at a later stage on the UN calendar. Objections by the United States and a few other states appeared to block a consensus agreement on the […] Continue reading -> As WHO Nominations For Next Director-General Close, Six Contenders Emerge – But More May Remain Under Seal 25/09/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Following the statutory WHO nomination deadline for the next Director-General, six candidates have now been publicly declared on the agency’s prospective candidate page. While oncologist Dr Gevorg Tamamyan has been proposed in a cross-regional nomination by Botswana, sources with knowledge of the process said Gavi CEO Dr Sania Nishtar was reportedly not nominated by Pakistan. […] Continue reading -> As Deadline Nears, Civil Society Urges Spain to Nominate María Neira in WHO DG Election 21/09/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen With Thursday’s 24 September deadline looming, international scientific societies and civil society leaders are pushing Spain to sponsor a last-minute nomination of Dr María Neira as candidate in the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General election. Neira is WHO’s former Director for Environment, Climate Change and Health, and her nomination has been endorsed by Nobel Peace […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
Global Fund Leadership Shortlist Unveiled Amid Donor Friction and Push for Reform 01/10/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The shortlist of five finalists to serve as the next Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was published on Wednesday (30 September), launching the final phase of its leadership search. By narrowing the global applicant field to five candidates, the Global Fund’s Executive Director Nomination Committee (EDNC) has taken […] Continue reading -> Progress on Nutrition Has Stalled But Accountability and Integration Can Accelerate Impact 01/10/2026 Irshad Danish & Supreet Kaur Progress towards global nutrition targets is too slow, and rising food prices threaten to put healthy diets even further out of reach for many, according to the 2026 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World published recently by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Even before delivery systems began to strain under the […] Continue reading -> The Health Case for Investment in Clean Air in Africa 28/09/2026 Pallavi Pant, Xoli Fuyani & Obianuju Ozoh Lisa Sama is a 19-year-old medical student in Cameroon. As far back as she can remember, she has lived with asthma, and in recent years, she has turned her attention to the role that air pollution plays in her health. “From the very beginning, my life involved inhalers, medication, hospital visits, and many sleepless nights. […] Continue reading -> UN Declaration on Pandemic Readiness May Head to General Assembly for Approval 25/09/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The Political Declaration on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response was not approved by consensus by the United Nations General Assembly, and is likely to be put to a vote at a later stage on the UN calendar. Objections by the United States and a few other states appeared to block a consensus agreement on the […] Continue reading -> As WHO Nominations For Next Director-General Close, Six Contenders Emerge – But More May Remain Under Seal 25/09/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Following the statutory WHO nomination deadline for the next Director-General, six candidates have now been publicly declared on the agency’s prospective candidate page. While oncologist Dr Gevorg Tamamyan has been proposed in a cross-regional nomination by Botswana, sources with knowledge of the process said Gavi CEO Dr Sania Nishtar was reportedly not nominated by Pakistan. […] Continue reading -> As Deadline Nears, Civil Society Urges Spain to Nominate María Neira in WHO DG Election 21/09/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen With Thursday’s 24 September deadline looming, international scientific societies and civil society leaders are pushing Spain to sponsor a last-minute nomination of Dr María Neira as candidate in the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General election. Neira is WHO’s former Director for Environment, Climate Change and Health, and her nomination has been endorsed by Nobel Peace […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
Progress on Nutrition Has Stalled But Accountability and Integration Can Accelerate Impact 01/10/2026 Irshad Danish & Supreet Kaur Progress towards global nutrition targets is too slow, and rising food prices threaten to put healthy diets even further out of reach for many, according to the 2026 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World published recently by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Even before delivery systems began to strain under the […] Continue reading -> The Health Case for Investment in Clean Air in Africa 28/09/2026 Pallavi Pant, Xoli Fuyani & Obianuju Ozoh Lisa Sama is a 19-year-old medical student in Cameroon. As far back as she can remember, she has lived with asthma, and in recent years, she has turned her attention to the role that air pollution plays in her health. “From the very beginning, my life involved inhalers, medication, hospital visits, and many sleepless nights. […] Continue reading -> UN Declaration on Pandemic Readiness May Head to General Assembly for Approval 25/09/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The Political Declaration on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response was not approved by consensus by the United Nations General Assembly, and is likely to be put to a vote at a later stage on the UN calendar. Objections by the United States and a few other states appeared to block a consensus agreement on the […] Continue reading -> As WHO Nominations For Next Director-General Close, Six Contenders Emerge – But More May Remain Under Seal 25/09/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Following the statutory WHO nomination deadline for the next Director-General, six candidates have now been publicly declared on the agency’s prospective candidate page. While oncologist Dr Gevorg Tamamyan has been proposed in a cross-regional nomination by Botswana, sources with knowledge of the process said Gavi CEO Dr Sania Nishtar was reportedly not nominated by Pakistan. […] Continue reading -> As Deadline Nears, Civil Society Urges Spain to Nominate María Neira in WHO DG Election 21/09/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen With Thursday’s 24 September deadline looming, international scientific societies and civil society leaders are pushing Spain to sponsor a last-minute nomination of Dr María Neira as candidate in the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General election. Neira is WHO’s former Director for Environment, Climate Change and Health, and her nomination has been endorsed by Nobel Peace […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
The Health Case for Investment in Clean Air in Africa 28/09/2026 Pallavi Pant, Xoli Fuyani & Obianuju Ozoh Lisa Sama is a 19-year-old medical student in Cameroon. As far back as she can remember, she has lived with asthma, and in recent years, she has turned her attention to the role that air pollution plays in her health. “From the very beginning, my life involved inhalers, medication, hospital visits, and many sleepless nights. […] Continue reading -> UN Declaration on Pandemic Readiness May Head to General Assembly for Approval 25/09/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The Political Declaration on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response was not approved by consensus by the United Nations General Assembly, and is likely to be put to a vote at a later stage on the UN calendar. Objections by the United States and a few other states appeared to block a consensus agreement on the […] Continue reading -> As WHO Nominations For Next Director-General Close, Six Contenders Emerge – But More May Remain Under Seal 25/09/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Following the statutory WHO nomination deadline for the next Director-General, six candidates have now been publicly declared on the agency’s prospective candidate page. While oncologist Dr Gevorg Tamamyan has been proposed in a cross-regional nomination by Botswana, sources with knowledge of the process said Gavi CEO Dr Sania Nishtar was reportedly not nominated by Pakistan. […] Continue reading -> As Deadline Nears, Civil Society Urges Spain to Nominate María Neira in WHO DG Election 21/09/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen With Thursday’s 24 September deadline looming, international scientific societies and civil society leaders are pushing Spain to sponsor a last-minute nomination of Dr María Neira as candidate in the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General election. Neira is WHO’s former Director for Environment, Climate Change and Health, and her nomination has been endorsed by Nobel Peace […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
UN Declaration on Pandemic Readiness May Head to General Assembly for Approval 25/09/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The Political Declaration on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response was not approved by consensus by the United Nations General Assembly, and is likely to be put to a vote at a later stage on the UN calendar. Objections by the United States and a few other states appeared to block a consensus agreement on the […] Continue reading -> As WHO Nominations For Next Director-General Close, Six Contenders Emerge – But More May Remain Under Seal 25/09/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Following the statutory WHO nomination deadline for the next Director-General, six candidates have now been publicly declared on the agency’s prospective candidate page. While oncologist Dr Gevorg Tamamyan has been proposed in a cross-regional nomination by Botswana, sources with knowledge of the process said Gavi CEO Dr Sania Nishtar was reportedly not nominated by Pakistan. […] Continue reading -> As Deadline Nears, Civil Society Urges Spain to Nominate María Neira in WHO DG Election 21/09/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen With Thursday’s 24 September deadline looming, international scientific societies and civil society leaders are pushing Spain to sponsor a last-minute nomination of Dr María Neira as candidate in the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General election. Neira is WHO’s former Director for Environment, Climate Change and Health, and her nomination has been endorsed by Nobel Peace […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
As WHO Nominations For Next Director-General Close, Six Contenders Emerge – But More May Remain Under Seal 25/09/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Following the statutory WHO nomination deadline for the next Director-General, six candidates have now been publicly declared on the agency’s prospective candidate page. While oncologist Dr Gevorg Tamamyan has been proposed in a cross-regional nomination by Botswana, sources with knowledge of the process said Gavi CEO Dr Sania Nishtar was reportedly not nominated by Pakistan. […] Continue reading -> As Deadline Nears, Civil Society Urges Spain to Nominate María Neira in WHO DG Election 21/09/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen With Thursday’s 24 September deadline looming, international scientific societies and civil society leaders are pushing Spain to sponsor a last-minute nomination of Dr María Neira as candidate in the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General election. Neira is WHO’s former Director for Environment, Climate Change and Health, and her nomination has been endorsed by Nobel Peace […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
As Deadline Nears, Civil Society Urges Spain to Nominate María Neira in WHO DG Election 21/09/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen With Thursday’s 24 September deadline looming, international scientific societies and civil society leaders are pushing Spain to sponsor a last-minute nomination of Dr María Neira as candidate in the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General election. Neira is WHO’s former Director for Environment, Climate Change and Health, and her nomination has been endorsed by Nobel Peace […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts