On the 21st of February 2020, the Director-General appointed six Special Envoys on COVID-19, to provide strategic advice and high-level political advocacy and engagement in different parts of the world. The Special Envoys will work in close collaboration with WHO Regional Directors and country offices to coordinate the global response to COVID-19.
The main functions of the Special Envoys on COVID-19 are to:
- Amplify the messages of the Director-General;
- Disseminate WHO guidance on COVID-19 readiness and response;
- Partake in high-level advocacy and political engagement;
- Provide strategic advice on preparedness, readiness and response to COVID-19 outbreaks;
- Engage with regional bodies and national governments;
- Report regularly to the Director-General on their work and the situation in countries.
The Special Envoy on COVID-19 is:
- Dr. David Nabarro, former Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Climate Change;
The former Special Envoys on COVID-19 are:
- Professor Dr. Maha El Rabbat, former Minister of Health and Population of Egypt;
- Dr. John Nkengasong, Director of the African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention;
- Dr. Mirta Roses, former Director of the WHO Region of the Americas;
- Dr Palitha Abeykoon, former Director, Health Systems Development, WHO South-East Asia Regional Office, Senior Advisor Sri Lankan Ministry of Health
- Professor Samba Sow, Director-General of the Center for Vaccine Development in Mali;
- Dr. Young-soo Shin, former Regional Director of the WHO Region of the Western Pacific.