A WHO that listens, responds and delivers, with countries and for people.
Budi Gunadi Sadikin has served as Indonesia’s Minister of Health since December 2020. Appointed at the height of COVID-19, he led one of the world’s largest vaccination programmes and turned emergency response into a mandate for long-term health-system reform.
The path to better global health begins with national ownership, grows through regional cooperation, and achieves scale through collective global action grounded in science.
A WHO that strengthens country leadership and national health systems.
A WHO that advances regional cooperation.
A WHO that leads collective action on shared global health challenges.
More than 453 million vaccine doses, genomic surveillance expanded from 16 to 41 laboratories, and 5,000 tonnes of oxygen delivered to 500 hospitals during the Delta surge.
Including US$4 billion for a government-led programme equipping over 10,000 primary facilities, 500 public-health laboratories and 600 hospitals.
Integrated Primary Care across more than 10,000 centres and 300,000 community posts; free annual health screening reached 100 million people in its first 15 months.
All 87 hospitals affected by the 2025 Sumatra floods were restored within two weeks. After the 2026 East Nusa Tenggara earthquake, two field hospitals were operational within four days.
Experience spanning national reform, multilateral diplomacy, finance, technology and large-scale institutional leadership.
Six pillars of health reform anchored in a new Health Law consolidating 11 fragmented laws.
Coalitions across nine parliamentary parties and G20 agreement that helped establish the Pandemic Fund.
Financial discipline that saved US$553 million on advanced medical devices and 32% on selected medicines.
Science, AI, genomic surveillance, digital systems, local manufacturing and next-generation vaccines.
Helped unite health and finance leaders around a fund launched with US$1.4 billion from 24 donors. By February 2026, it had built a portfolio of 67 projects across 128 countries and catalysed more than US$10 billion.
Championed the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on One Health, followed by a regional network and joint action plan for 2023–2030.
Co-chairing work to move from fragmented, externally driven arrangements toward country agency, sustainable financing and collective provision of global public goods.
“His vision for WHO is grounded in equity, solidarity, innovation, accountability, and sustainable financing.”
H.E. Prabowo SubiantoPresident of the Republic of Indonesia“He is the kind of person who can bring together people from different backgrounds, build strong momentum, and develop strategies and systems to achieve lasting results.”
Dr Yohei SasakawaWHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination; Honorary Chair, The Nippon Foundation“What distinguishes Minister Sadikin is his combination of public-health leadership, financial acumen and experience in managing large institutions. He understands that sustainable health progress must be nationally owned, adequately financed and supported by strong regional and international cooperation.”
H.E. Olusegun ObasanjoFormer President of the Federal Republic of NigeriaOfficial statements, campaign updates and selected coverage on global health leadership.
World Health SummitAt the World Health Summit 2026, Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin shares his vision for a WHO focused on science-based standards and stronger country ownership.
The Pandemic FundIndonesia co-invests nearly US$228 million in the Pandemic Fund project to strengthen global pandemic preparedness through a One Health approach.
The Straits TimesAn exclusive interview with The Straits Times on Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin's vision to bring a South-east Asian perspective and financial reform to the WHO.
The Jakarta PostThe Jakarta Post’s editorial board outlines why Indonesia must mobilize its highest diplomatic channels to back Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin’s bid for the WHO top post.
PAHOOfficial briefing on streamlining national health insurance services and ensuring equitable healthcare access at the State Palace.
Devex Impact HouseAt Devex Impact House during UNGA, Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin shares why global health needs leadership that connects science with financing.
Accra ResetFull Circle convening, sidelines of UNGA 81 · New York · 21 September 2026
Devex Impact HouseA strategic brief on global health financing reform and equity initiatives by Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin.
AVPNWatch Indonesia’s Health Minister, H.E. Budi Gunadi Sadikin, share his global vision on prioritizing preventive care and extending global life expectancy at the AVPN Global Conference.
Official updates will be available here soon.
Read first-hand updates on health-system transformation, international cooperation and the campaign for WHO Director-General.
View LinkedIn profile ↗Budi enjoys running and good food, embracing a healthy life that is enjoyable and fulfilling. At 60 he completed his first marathon in Berlin, followed by London in 2026. In Jakarta, he runs with communities including runners with visual impairments, and shares practical guidance to help millions exercise, eat and sleep well.
2020–present · Minister of Health
Led Indonesia’s COVID-19 response and six-pillar health transformation.
2019–2020 · Vice Minister of State-Owned Enterprises
Oversaw 64 enterprises across strategic sectors.
2017–2019 · Group CEO, MIND ID / President Director, Inalum
Led the US$3.85 billion Freeport Indonesia divestment.
2013–2016 · President Director, Bank Mandiri
Led Indonesia’s largest bank, with nearly 2,500 branches and 100,000 personnel.
Accra Reset · Co-Chair, High-Level Panel on Reform of the Global Health Architecture and Governance
Gavi · Board Member representing Western Pacific and South-East Asia
TB Vaccine Accelerator Council · Co-Chair
Stop TB Partnership · Board Member
The Lancet · Commissioner on Health System Performance Assessment
B.Sc., Physics
Bandung Institute of Technology, 1988
“I would lead a WHO that listens, responds and delivers, with countries and for people, so that everyone can live a long and healthy life.”
Budi Gunadi Sadikin · Candidate for Director-General of the World Health Organization, 2027–2032
Download the complete vision bookletAccra Reset(21/09/26, New York) -- A year ago, the Accra Reset was a call for change. Today in New York, the question is harder: how do we make that change work in practice?
For me, this moment carries a special meaning. Bandung is where I spent my university years and where I met my wife. But the world remembers Bandung for something much larger. In 1955, leaders from Asia and Africa gathered there to affirm political sovereignty—the right of countries to shape their own future. Today, that same spirit is being carried forward: from political sovereignty to health sovereignty.
At the Full Circle convening on the sidelines of UNGA 81, I had the privilege of speaking as Co-Chair of the High-Level Panel on Reform of the Global Health Architecture and Governance, as we launched our report, A Sovereign Future for Health.
At its core, the report is about strengthening country agency over the decisions, financing, and data that shape health systems, while ensuring global cooperation where collective action makes us stronger.
I am grateful to President John Dramani Mahama, my fellow Co-Chairs Peter Piot, Elhadj As Sy, and Priscila Ferraz, and all members of the High-Level Panel for their dedication and collective effort.
The real work begins now: turning strong recommendations into implementation that countries can own and people can feel in their lives.
From Bandung to Accra, it’s time to turn sovereignty from principle to impact, into better health for 8 billion citizens of the world.
Watch the full report here: https://www.accrareset.org/UNGA81/HLP
Live event: https://www.accrareset.org/UNGA81/stream
Watch Indonesia’s Health Minister, H.E. Budi Gunadi Sadikin, share his global vision on prioritizing preventive care and extending global life expectancy at the AVPN Global Conference.
source: AVPN Youtube
As the candidate for the World Health Organization’s Director-General, Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin highlights the critical need to reform global health financing and governance. This briefing outlines strategic paths to bridge funding gaps and enhance equity for 8 billion citizens worldwide.
Source: Kieran B. LinkedIn
PAHO(28/09/2026, Jakarta) -- After a full week at UNGA, I returned to Jakarta and went straight back to work.
At the Merdeka Palace, President Prabowo Subianto brought together the Minister of Finance, the President Director of Indonesia’s National Health Insurance Agency, and me to discuss the future of our national health insurance programme. For a country of more than 280 million people, universal health coverage is a promise that families can get the care they need without being driven into financial hardship. Keeping that promise means making the system stronger and financially sustainable for the years ahead.
Tomorrow, I leave for Washington, D.C., to attend the 63rd Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the 78th Session of the Regional Committee of WHO for the Americas. I look forward to listening to Member States from across the Americas and exchanging practical lessons on how countries are strengthening universal health coverage.
Every country’s path is different. But we can learn from one another as we work towards the same goal: healthy, long lives for all.
Photo credit: Biro Pers, Media, dan Informasi Sekretariat Presiden
Source: Originally published on Budi Gunadi Sadikin’s Official LinkedIn Channel.
The Jakarta PostThe Jakarta Post’s editorial board highlights that securing the top post demands proactive, state-level lobbying. While Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin’s solid track record in steering systemic reforms is undeniable, individual competence alone is not enough. Indonesia must fully leverage its diplomatic apparatus.
Source: Editorial Board, The Jakarta Post (Published on September 30, 2026).
The Straits TimesAs the only South-east Asian candidate among six contenders for the next WHO Director-General, Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin advocates for a massive shift toward country-led healthcare priorities and robust financial management. Leveraging his background as the former President Director of Bank Mandiri, he highlights that the WHO's current funding squeeze demands extraordinary financial expertise alongside global medical norms. His mission aims to extend his impact from managing health for 280 million Indonesians to serving 8 billion global citizens.
Source: Hariz Baharudin & Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja, The Straits Times (Published on September 30, 2026).
Indonesia co-invests nearly US$228 million in the Pandemic Fund project to strengthen global pandemic preparedness through a One Health approach.
Source: The Pandemic Fund X Official Page
Devex Impact House(22/09/2026, New York) -- At Devex Impact House during the United Nations General Assembly, one question stood out: what kind of leadership does global health need?
The world has changed. Resources are tighter, challenges are more complex, and countries are asking for a global health system that delivers differently. In conversations with health ministers and Member States, I hear a clear message: they want a WHO that is more responsive to countries, more focused on results, and better equipped to navigate financial and operational constraints.
I’ve been listening to the advice on what this moment demands from the next generation of WHO leadership. As I said during the discussion: “These situations are different, unconventional situations that WHO is facing, and maybe an unconventional person like me is suitable.”
It is about bringing different capabilities to the challenge; connecting science with financing and mobilizing resources.
Source: Budi Gunadi Sadikin’s Official LinkedIn Channel.
World Health SummitExchanged perspectives with fellow prospective WHO Director-General candidates at “The Future of WHO and the Global Health Architecture: In Conversation with Prospective Candidates for WHO Director-General” a few days ago at the World Health Summit 2026.
I believe WHO must focus on its core role: setting science-based standards, bringing countries together, and providing technical support based on their needs. As external health funding declines, countries must take greater responsibility for their health priorities and manage the transition to domestic funding carefully.
WHO Reform must also strengthen collaboration with development banks, regional institutions, and other health agencies to ensure a more coordinated global response.
Many thanks to everyone for a thoughtful and fruitful discussion.
Source: Budi Gunadi Sadikin’s Official LinkedIn Channel.