WHO’s Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus re-elected as director general
- The UN health agency head – a familiar face during the Covid-19 pandemic – ran unopposed for a second term, receiving overwhelming support
- New health menaces already loom, including hepatitis of mysterious origin that has made children in many countries ill and swelling numbers of monkeypox cases
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the first African to head the World Health Organization, was re-elected Tuesday with overwhelming support after running unopposed for a second term.
The director general had received more than two-thirds of secret-ballot votes cast, as needed to be appointed, but the UN health agency did not provide a precise breakdown. Sources in the room said he had received 155 of the 160 votes cast.
“I am really, really overwhelmed by the support,” Tedros told the assembly after his re-election was announced to thundering applause.
“This recognition is not only for me. I really believe this is recognition for the whole WHO family. I am really proud to be WHO.”
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WHO declares coronavirus crisis a pandemic
Tedros has become a familiar face as he spearheads the global response to the coronavirus pandemic – an issue that remains front and centre at the WHO’s annual assembly taking place in Geneva this week.