China News Service, September 24. According to foreign media reports, the time limit for the Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) to nominate candidates for the new Director-General has ended on the 23rd.

Foreign media said that nearly 20 European Union (EU) countries nominated the current Director-General Tan Desai for a second term.

Data map: WHO Director-General Tan Desai attended the meeting via video connection.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Peng Dawei

  According to Agence France-Presse, WHO member states need to name candidates before 16:00 GMT on the 23rd.

And Tedros, who has announced the nomination of Germany, seems to be the only candidate currently.

  Diplomatic sources told Agence France-Presse that some EU countries subsequently followed up with Germany and supported the re-election of Ethiopia’s former Minister of Health and Foreign Affairs Tan Desai.

  These EU countries submitted sealed letters to the WHO in Geneva, including Austria, France, Portugal and Spain.

  According to reports, the WHO will not open these nomination letters until after October 1. After a few weeks, all WHO member states will receive the list of candidates, and then the list will be made public.

  Tedros became the first African to lead the WHO in 2017.

The 56-year-old has been at the forefront since the outbreak of the new crown epidemic and has become one of the most well-known faces in the fight against the epidemic.

  Agence France-Presse asked Tedros to confirm whether he would be running for the second term at a press conference, but he refused to answer.

Most observers predict that Tedros will receive official support from African countries.