The World Health Organization has appointed Dr Vanessa Kerry as the WHO Director-General’s Special Envoy for Health Resilience, expanding her work with the organisation into a broader global health resilience agenda.
Kerry previously served as WHO’s first Director-General Special Envoy for Climate Change and Health. In her new role, she will work to advance resilient, integrated and sustainably financed health systems capable of responding to everyday health challenges as well as emerging threats linked to climate change, health emergencies and other complex global risks.
Her work will involve engagement with governments, development partners, multilateral institutions, civil society and the private sector. She will advocate for stronger health systems, sustainable financing and better coordination of resources around national health priorities.
As Special Envoy, Kerry will also support efforts to strengthen sustainable financing for universal health coverage, including through domestic resource mobilisation, while providing high-level advocacy with decision-makers and supporting resource mobilisation for health systems.
The role places particular emphasis on climate-resilient health systems, building on Kerry’s previous work on climate change and health. Her mandate will include advocating for investment in health workers, infrastructure and sustainable, country-led approaches to health financing.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Kerry’s appointment reflects the natural evolution of her work with the organisation and highlighted her contribution to elevating climate change as a critical health issue.
Kerry said she was honoured to continue her partnership with WHO in the new capacity, highlighting the importance of building health system resilience over time through investment in workforce, financing and infrastructure.
The appointment comes as countries face an increasingly complex global health environment, with health systems required to prepare for climate-related pressures, health emergencies, funding challenges and other disruptions.
Through the new role, Kerry will work with WHO and its partners to support stronger health systems that can deliver better health outcomes, advance universal health coverage and respond more effectively to future risks.
