Photo credit: Ricardo Stuckert / PR
It’s probably been a difficult year for Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, but it’s doubtful that it has had any negative impact on his clout. As Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), he sits at the center of global health decision-making. Heck, some might say he is the center.
When outbreaks emerge, when countries debate preparedness, or when the world debates pandemic rules, Tedros is right there, guiding the conversation, coordinating response plans, and rallying governments to act. Well, most governments. His influence is especially strong now because countries are renegotiating how they’ll cooperate on future health threats. That covers everything from vaccine access to emergency funding. Tedros is the one trying to keep 194 member states aligned, which is no small feat in a politically tense world.
