World Health Organization (WHO)

WHO began when Constitution came into force on 7 April 1948 – a date we now celebrate every year as World Health Day. WHO are now more than 7000 people working in 150 country offices, in 6 regional offices and at WHO headquarters in Geneva.

We are the directing and coordinating authority on international health within the United Nations’ system.

We do this by:

• providing leadership on matters critical to health and engaging in partnerships where joint action is needed;
• shaping the research agenda and stimulating the generation, translation and dissemination of valuable knowledge;
• setting norms and standards and promoting and monitoring their implementation;
• articulating ethical and evidence-based policy options;
• providing technical support, catalysing change, and building sustainable institutional capacity; and
• monitoring the health situation and assessing health trends.

Leadership priorities 

For each 6-year programme of work priority areas are identified where our leadership is most needed.

WHO Website