Candidate for Director-General of the World Health Organization · 2027–2032

Healthy Long Lives for All.

A WHO that listens, responds and delivers, with countries and for people.

Explore the vision Download the booklet ↓

BuildStrong national health systems

GrowRegional resilience

ScaleGlobal impact

Meet Budi

A system transformer who delivers at scale.

Budi Gunadi Sadikin has served as Indonesia’s Minister of Health since December 2020. Appointed at the height of COVID-19, he led one of the world’s largest vaccination programmes and turned emergency response into a mandate for long-term health-system reform.

280M+people served by Indonesia’s national health system

453M+COVID-19 vaccine doses administered

100M+people reached by free annual screening in 15 months

US$8.75Bin grants and development-bank financing mobilised

Vision

Vision: A world where everyone can live a long and healthy life.

With the care they need, when and where they need it, at a cost they can afford.

Mission

HealthyLong Livesfor All.

To refocus WHO on its core mandates, grounded in science, use its convening power to align partners behind country-led health priorities, and strengthen the Organisation from within by making its financing more predictable, placing staff where their expertise is most needed, and improving internal coordination so WHO can respond more quickly and effectively to countries’ needs.

Budi Gunadi Sadikin with health workers and children in Aceh, January 2026 — Pillar 01 — BuildAceh, January 2026

Pillar 01 — Build

Back to Core Mandates

WHO that delivers on its core responsibilities.

WHO will focus on its core mandates, setting norms and standards grounded in science and helping countries put that evidence into practice through technical support.

Key priorities

Invest in WHO’s scientific expertise. Sustain scientific work where public health needs are greatest, give scientific teams the support they need and ground WHO’s decisions, norms and standards in their scientific evidence.

Help countries put evidence into practice. Provide technical support to help countries adapt WHO guidance to their national contexts and apply it in health policy, public health programmes and clinical practice.

Strengthen governance and responsible use of emerging technology. Help countries navigate rapid advances in artificial intelligence, biotechnology and genomics through clear governance frameworks, responsible data management, and open standards for interoperable health systems, so these technologies improve care and expand access to affordable innovation.

Budi Gunadi Sadikin and delegates touring a vaccine manufacturing facility in Bandung, November 2024 — Pillar 02 — GrowBandung, November 2024

Pillar 02 — Grow

Global Convening around Country Priorities

WHO that brings countries and partners together around country priorities.

Countries’ health sovereignty must be at the heart of global health cooperation. WHO will bring governments and partners together behind country-led priorities, a shared plan and measurable outcomes. It will help align contributions, mobilize domestic financing and ensure external support complements national efforts, with clear accountability for results.

Key priorities

Advance UHC across the life course. Help countries strengthen prevention, primary care and timely referral, supported by trained health workers, so everyone can access quality care without financial hardship, with attention to women’s and children’s health and prevention and management of NCDs, including mental health.

Improve equitable access to affordable health products. Convene countries and partners to advance pooled procurement and market shaping, strengthen regulatory cooperation and expand local manufacturing through technology transfer.

Strengthen health security. Convene national authorities and partners to detect and control outbreaks by strengthening cross-border surveillance, laboratory networks and information sharing, with safeguards for data sovereignty and equitable benefit-sharing, support countries’ climate-resilient health plans, especially in small island states, and sustain essential care through disasters, conflict and displacement with agreed complementary roles for WHO and partners.

Budi Gunadi Sadikin speaking at the G20 Dinner Reception in Yogyakarta, March 2022 — Pillar 03 — ScaleYogyakarta, March 2022

Pillar 03 — Scale

Strengthen WHO from Within

WHO that is equipped to deliver and accountable for results.

WHO works best when its people have clear responsibilities, the authority to act and the resources to deliver. WHO will strengthen teamwork and coordination across headquarters, regional offices and country offices so they can serve countries more effectively as One WHO.

Key priorities

Appoint on merit. Select leaders, technical experts, and WHO Representatives based on competence, integrity and ability to deliver, while advancing equal opportunities for women in recruitment and leadership.

Improve accountability for performance and conduct. Set clear performance indicators, review progress regularly, hold managers accountable for results and address misconduct fairly and promptly.

Strengthen WHO’s financial sustainability. Broaden WHO’s funding base and show transparently how resources are used and what they achieve.

Delivering at scale

A record built on action.

COVID-19 response

From crisis response to transformation

More than 453 million vaccine doses, genomic surveillance expanded from 16 to 41 laboratories, and 5,000 tonnes of oxygen delivered to 500 hospitals during the Delta surge.

Financing

US$8.75 billion mobilised

Including US$4 billion for a government-led programme equipping over 10,000 primary facilities, 500 public-health laboratories and 600 hospitals.

Primary care

Prevention at national scale

Integrated Primary Care across more than 10,000 centres and 300,000 community posts; free annual health screening reached 100 million people in its first 15 months.

Emergency response

Restore essential services fast

All 87 hospitals affected by the 2025 Sumatra floods were restored within two weeks. After the 2026 East Nusa Tenggara earthquake, two field hospitals were operational within four days.

Trusted transformation

Budi Gunadi Sadikin sitting with mothers and children during a community visit in Banten, October 2021 — In the fieldBanten, October 2021

Four qualities for the next WHO.

Experience spanning national reform, multilateral diplomacy, finance, technology and large-scale institutional leadership.

The four qualities

01System Transformer

Leads Indonesia’s health system transformation across primary care and prevention, referral services, resilience, financing, workforce, and health technology, anchored in a new Health Law that consolidated 11 fragmented laws into one.

02Consensus Builder

Bridges health, finance and political leaders to deliver complex reforms, demonstrated internationally through G20 leadership that culminated in the establishment of the Pandemic Fund, and locally through building coalitions with 9 parliamentary parties and 115 public consultations engaging more than 1,200 stakeholders in the development of Indonesia’s Health Law.

03Trusted Steward

Applies financial discipline and accountable delivery to public institutions, using centralised procurement to save US$553 million on advanced medical devices and 32% on selected medicines and consumables.

04Future-Shaping Leader

Champions science and evidence to strengthen public health, driving digital transformation and the responsible use of artificial intelligence while investing in prevention, genomic surveillance, digital systems, local manufacturing, and next-generation vaccines to build resilience before the next crisis.

Global health in action

Country leadership. Collective progress.

G20 · Bali, 2022

Advancing the Pandemic Fund

Helped unite health and finance leaders around a fund launched with US$1.4 billion from 24 donors. By February 2026, it had built a portfolio of 67 projects across 128 countries and catalysed more than US$10 billion.

ASEAN · 2023

Making One Health a regional priority

Championed the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on One Health, followed by a regional network and joint action plan for 2023–2030.

Accra Reset · 2026

A more equitable global health architecture

Co-chairing work to move from fragmented, externally driven arrangements toward country agency, sustainable financing and collective provision of global public goods.

Voices of support

Leadership trusted across borders.

“His vision for WHO is grounded in equity, solidarity, innovation, accountability, and sustainable financing.”

H.E. Prabowo SubiantoPresident of the Republic of Indonesia

“He is the kind of person who can bring together people from different backgrounds, build strong momentum, and develop strategies and systems to achieve lasting results.”

Dr Yohei SasakawaWHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination; Honorary Chair, The Nippon Foundation

“What distinguishes Minister Sadikin is his combination of public-health leadership, financial acumen and experience in managing large institutions. He understands that sustainable health progress must be nationally owned, adequately financed and supported by strong regional and international cooperation.”

H.E. Olusegun ObasanjoFormer President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

News & Articles

Updates from the campaign and trusted sources.

Official statements, campaign updates and selected coverage on global health leadership.

World Health Summit

Evidence-Based Health Workforce Planning for Indonesia

At the World Health Summit in Berlin, Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin shares how Indonesia used epidemiological projections to plan its health workforce.

Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin in discussion with Dr. Rakesh Gajadhar Sukul, Permanent Secretary of Health for Suriname, and delegates during the 63rd PAHO Directing Council

PAHO

Strengthening Health Cooperation with Suriname at the 63rd PAHO Directing Council

On the sidelines of the 63rd PAHO Directing Council in Washington, D.C., Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin explores deeper health cooperation with Suriname.

World Health Summit

The Future of WHO and the Global Health Architecture: In Conversation with Prospective Candidates for WHO Director-General

At the World Health Summit 2026, Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin shares his vision for a WHO focused on science-based standards and stronger country ownership.

The Pandemic Fund

Pandemic Preparedness is an Investment, Not a Cost

Indonesia co-invests nearly US$228 million in the Pandemic Fund project to strengthen global pandemic preparedness through a One Health approach.

Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin Straits Times Interview

The Straits Times

From Jakarta to Geneva: Indonesia's Budi Sadikin Aims for WHO Leadership

An exclusive interview with The Straits Times on Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin's vision to bring a South-east Asian perspective and financial reform to the WHO.

Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin speaking in a meeting room

The Jakarta Post

Let’s Win the WHO Race

The Jakarta Post’s editorial board outlines why Indonesia must mobilize its highest diplomatic channels to back Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin’s bid for the WHO top post.

Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin speaking at a press conference at the State Palace

PAHO

Reforming Healthcare Access: Driving Quality and Equity in Universal Health Coverage

Official briefing on streamlining national health insurance services and ensuring equitable healthcare access at the State Palace.

Devex Impact House

The Next Era of Global Health Leadership

At Devex Impact House during UNGA, Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin shares why global health needs leadership that connects science with financing.

Accra Reset

A Sovereign Future for Health | Accra Reset

Full Circle convening, sidelines of UNGA 81 · New York · 21 September 2026

Devex Impact House

Bridging the Gaps: Financing and Governance for Global Health Equity

A strategic brief on global health financing reform and equity initiatives by Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin.

AVPN

Health Is a Movement, Not a Government Program

Watch Indonesia’s Health Minister, H.E. Budi Gunadi Sadikin, share his global vision on prioritizing preventive care and extending global life expectancy at the AVPN Global Conference.

Official channel · LinkedIn

Follow Budi Gunadi Sadikin

Read first-hand updates on health-system transformation, international cooperation and the campaign for WHO Director-General.

View LinkedIn profile ↗

Walk the talk

Health leadership begins by example.

Budi enjoys running and good food, embracing a healthy life that is enjoyable and fulfilling. At 60 he completed his first marathon in Berlin, followed by London in 2026. In Jakarta, he runs with communities including runners with visual impairments, and shares practical guidance to help millions exercise, eat and sleep well.

Selected experience

Leadership across systems.

National leadership

2020–present · Minister of Health
Led Indonesia’s COVID-19 response and six-pillar health transformation.

2019–2020 · Vice Minister of State-Owned Enterprises
Oversaw 64 enterprises across strategic sectors.

2017–2019 · Group CEO, MIND ID / President Director, Inalum
Led the US$3.85 billion Freeport Indonesia divestment.

2013–2016 · President Director, Bank Mandiri
Led Indonesia’s largest bank, with nearly 2,500 branches and 100,000 personnel.

Global and regional leadership

Accra Reset · Co-Chair, High-Level Panel on Reform of the Global Health Architecture and Governance

Gavi · Board Member representing Western Pacific and South-East Asia

TB Vaccine Accelerator Council · Co-Chair

Stop TB Partnership · Board Member

The Lancet · Commissioner on Health System Performance Assessment

Credentials

B.Sc., Physics
Bandung Institute of Technology, 1988

A WHO that delivers

“I would lead a WHO that listens, responds and delivers, with countries and for people, so that everyone can live a long and healthy life.”

Budi Gunadi Sadikin · Candidate for Director-General of the World Health Organization, 2027–2032

Download the complete vision booklet