Geneva, Switzerland, 21 November 2011 (WHO) - The deadline for proposals for nominations for the post of Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) passed on 15 November.

On 16 November, the sealed proposals were opened by the Chairman of the WHO Executive Board, Mr. Rahhal El Makkaoui . He has now advised WHO's  Member States that only one candidate has been proposed. The candidate is Dr Margaret Chan, the current Director-General, whose name has been submitted by China.

WHO's 194 Member States were given the opportunity to propose candidates between 4 July and 15 November 2011. The WHO Secretariat will now translate the proposal and the candidate's curriculum vitae  into the six official languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish) and dispatch this to all Member States by 15 December.

The Executive Board will meet in Geneva 16 - 23 January 2012 and will vote whether or not to propose the candidate to the World Health Assembly. The Assembly will take place from 21 to 26 May 2012 and will make the final decision regarding the appointment of the next WHO Director-General.

For more information, contact:

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Director, WHO Communications Department, Telephone: +41 22 791 30 75; Mobile: +41 79 251 7055; or

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , WHO Communications Officer and Spokesperson, Telephone: +41 22 791 32 28;Mobile: +41 79 475 55 56.

More information on WHO Director-General election process.

All WHO information can be found at: www.who.int