WHO Director-General announces Global Health Leaders Awards

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WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus will present two lifetime achievement awards to recognize outstanding contributions to advancing global health during the high-level opening session of the 76th World Health Assembly.

The CEO’s Global Leaders Awards, which were established in 2019, will be presented to Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum and Peter Piot. Both recipients are distinguished scientists and public health leaders who were heavily involved in the discovery of the Ebola virus disease before advancing to leadership positions in global health. The award honors his lifetime achievements in public health.

Professor Muyembe-Tamfum from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is being recognized for his innovation, leadership, and groundbreaking contributions to the management and treatment of diseases such as Ebola virus disease. He has played a critical role in improving health outcomes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the African region, and the global community. Professor Muyembe-Tamfum is the Director General of the DRC National Institute for Biomedical Research in Kinshasa, Senior Lecturer in Microbiology at the University of Kinshasa School of Medicine, and Inaugural President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Academy of Sciences.

Professor Muyembe-Tamfum was part of the team that discovered the Zaire ebolavirus during the first recorded outbreak in 1976, in Equateur province, central DRC. He later helped design one of the first effective treatments against the virus and the deployment of experimental vaccines against the Ebola virus disease. He has worked tirelessly to build the scientific capacity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, establishing multiple research facilities in the country, and has played a key role with the WHO in the fight against infectious diseases.

Professor Piot from Belgium is being recognized for his extraordinary leadership in responding to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and other major global health challenges. He has played a key role in launching major global health initiatives such as UNAIDS, the Global Fund and others that have improved health outcomes around the world. Under his leadership, UNAIDS became the leading advocate for global action against AIDS, and he also spearheaded UN reform by bringing together 10 different UN organizations.

Professor Piot was also involved in the earlier discovery of the Ebola virus and the containment of the first known outbreak, taking part in epidemiological field investigations.

He has chaired a number of high-level initiatives, served in numerous high-level advisory roles, including on COVID-19, and has received multiple awards.

Professor Piot is Special Adviser to the EC President, Professor of Global Health and former Director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

“These outstanding individuals embody lifelong dedication, tireless advocacy, commitment to equity, and selfless service to humanity and people’s health,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “In a time of multiple emergencies, health crises, and conflict, we recognize that leadership in public health and science is more important than ever to advance global health. Our awardees today embody that passion.”

“Their combined stories and successes show how far the world has come in terms of collaboration at the global, regional and national levels to strengthen preparedness, response and resilience to health emergencies. These outstanding scientists will continue to inspire us every day,” he added.

The award ceremony is part of the high-level opening session of the 76th World Health Assembly to be held on Sunday, May 21, 2023 in Geneva.