Search for WHO chief’s replacement tops agenda of executive board

The search for a replacement for outgoing Director-General, Gro Harlem Brundtland will top the agenda of the 111th session of the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board, which opened today in Geneva.

Dr. Brundtland will end her five-year term as head of the UN's lead health agency in July. During the course of this week, the 32 expert-members of the Board will examine all the candidates proposed and make a short list of five candidates, who will then be interviewed on 27 January. The Board will vote on 28 January, the final day of the meeting, for the candidate who will be nominated to the World Health Assembly for confirmation.

The Board will also draft the contract for the new Director-General establishing terms and conditions of employment and salary and other considerations.