Dr. Tedros is a health scholar and a diplomat with first-hand experience.

Dr. Tedros is a health scholar and a diplomat with first-hand experience.

Dr. Tedros is a health scholar and a diplomat with first-hand experience. He was born in 1965 in the city of #Asmara, #Eritrea. In 1986, he received a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in #Biology from the University of Asmara, Eritrea. In 1092, he received a Master of Science (MSc) in Immunology of Infectious Diseases from the University of London. In 2000, he obtained a #PhD in #Philosophy in Community #Health from the University of #Nottingham. He is the first WHO Director-General to have been elected from multiple candidates by the World Health Assembly, and is the first person from the WHO African Region to serve as WHO’s chief technical and administrative officer. He was elected as WHO Director-General for a five-year term by WHO Member States at the seventieth World Health Assembly in May 2017. He took office on July 1, 2017.

Dr. Tedros served as Chair of the “Roll Back Malaria Partnership” (2007-2009), and Co-Chair of the “Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health” (2005-2009). He was elected as Chair of the “Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria” (2009-2011), and of the Programme Coordinating Board of UNAIDS (2009-2010). Prior to his election as WHO Director- General, he held the position of Minister of Health of Ethiopia (2005 - 2012), and served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia (2012 - 2016).

Dr. Tedros has many scientific and practical contributions, having published many articles in prominent scientific journals, and has led comprehensive efforts to reform the health system in his country when he was Minister of Health. He worked to improve access to health care services for millions of people. As Minister of Foreign Affairs, he led efforts to negotiate the Addis Ababa Action Plan in which 193 countries committed to provide the necessary funding to achieve the sustainable development goals.

Dr. Tedros has received awards and marks of recognition from all over the world. In 2016, he received the Decoration of the Order of Serbian Flag. In 2011, he was awarded the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Humanitarian Award in recognition of his contributions to the field of public health.