Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was elected World Health Organization director-general for a five-year term by WHO member states in May 2017. In doing so, he was the first WHO director-general elected from among multiple candidates by the World Health Assembly, and was the first person from the WHO Africa region to head the world’s leading public health agency. Prior to his election as director-general, Tedros held many leadership positions in global health, including as chair of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, chair of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership, and co-chair of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Board. Following his studies, Tedros returned to Ethiopia to support the delivery of health services, first working as a field-level malariologist, before heading a regional health service and later serving in Ethiopia’s federal government for over a decade as minister of health and minister of foreign affairs.

Latest Articles

Opinion: On road safety, time for more governments to race ahead

over 1 year ago // Global Health

Road crashes kill millions annually, but they're preventable — stronger laws and safer designs are urgently needed worldwide.

Opinion: Let’s heal the health challenges faced by small island states

over 1 year ago // Global Health

The hurdles small island developing states are facing in their health systems require urgent attention and investment.

Opinion: Why we launched a health investment platform for primary care

over 2 years ago // Global Health

"We are convinced that individual countries cannot solve the health care conundrum alone," write the heads of the World Health Organization and four multilateral development banks in this opinion.

Opinion: New approaches needed for new health threats

over 6 years ago // Global health

WHO director-general and Swedish minister for international development cooperation explore how new partnerships and institutional reforms can fight inequality and advance health outcomes.

Opinion: The world must invest in the fight against HIV, TB, malaria

almost 7 years ago // Global health

The leader of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus makes the case for a strong, well-funded Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Opinion: Building a shared future in a fractured world starts with education and health

almost 8 years ago // Davos 2018

Global Partnership for Education Board Chair and Former Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus explain why investing in health and education is not just about charity.

Opinion: Putting people first at the WHO — from ill health to public health emergencies

almost 9 years ago // WHO election

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is a special advisor to Ethiopia's prime minister. He's also running for the World Health Organization's top spot. Here is his platform.

What it means to create a 'women's health development army'

over 9 years ago // From storytelling to movement building

We will achieve a better future for girls and women if we make them at the center of our actions and decision. To do this, each country needs to take ownership and assure enhanced sustainable domestic financing, explains Tedros Adhanom, minister of foreign affairs and former minister of health for Ethiopia.

See all articles by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus