WHO Executive Board

The WHO Executive Board (EB) is one of the principal organs of the World Health Organization, established under Articles 24–29 of the WHO Constitution (1948). It is composed of 34 members technically qualified in the field of health, each designated by a Member State elected by the World Health Assembly (WHA) for a three-year term. Seats are distributed across WHO's six regional groupings (African, Americas, South-East Asia, European, Eastern Mediterranean, and Western Pacific Regions), with roughly one-third of seats renewed each year.

The Board meets at least twice a year — typically in January (the main session, which sets the WHA agenda) and in late May immediately following the Assembly. Its functions, set out in Article 28, include giving effect to WHA decisions, advising the Assembly, submitting a general programme of work, and acting in emergencies within the limits of WHO's funds. The Board also nominates the Director-General, whom the WHA then appoints; in 2017 the EB shortlisted candidates including Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who was subsequently elected.

In Model UN, the WHO EB is a popular specialized committee because it is small, technical, and high-stakes. Delegates represent specific Member States (not individuals), draft decisions and resolutions for transmission to the WHA, and frequently handle agenda items such as pandemic preparedness, antimicrobial resistance, noncommunicable diseases, and the WHO programme budget.

Procedurally, EB sessions follow the Rules of Procedure of the Executive Board (most recently amended versions are publicly available on the WHO website), which differ from standard UNGA rules: there is heavier use of drafting groups, technical briefings from the Secretariat, and consensus-based adoption. Voting, when it occurs, is by simple majority of members present and voting, with each member casting one vote. The Chair, three Vice-Chairs, and Rapporteur form the Bureau and rotate by region.