ABSTRACT
The World Health Organization (WHO) is governed by the World Health Assembly (WHA), its supreme decision-making body, where all member states are represented. The WHA is held once a year when health ministers or officials from the capitals meet, discuss, and decide strategic issues. More routine representation of member states at WHO is carried out by their missions in Geneva. WHO is unique in terms of the relationship between the Geneva office and its six regional organizations. In general, the Direct General (DG) of WHO, like the heads of all International Organizations (IOs), have three roles to play. First, as diplomats by not only attending international functions but, more importantly, selling the organization to the broader world and defending its legitimacy and credibility in public. Second, as politicians working closely with member states. For some WHO member states, as for the members of other IOs, relations with non governmental organizations (NGOs) are a matter of concern.
