International medical organizations continue to voice their support for Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan’s candidacy for WHO Director-General.
Dr. Asadur Jorge Tchekmedyian, President of the World Endoscopy Organization (WEO), has formally endorsed his candidacy:
“Letter of Support
To the Executive Board of the World Health Organization and the World Health Assembly
I am pleased to offer my strong support for Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan’s candidacy for Director-General of the World Health Organization. As President of the World Endoscopy Organization (WEO), I attach particular importance to leadership that brings the realities of patient care into global health decisions and places equitable access at the heart of its work.
Dr. Tamamyan’s background in pediatric oncology and his commitment to strengthening health systems give his candidacy a valuable clinical perspective. I share his conviction that geography should not determine a person’s chances of receiving care or surviving illness. This principle speaks directly to the challenges faced by patients and healthcare professionals in settings where access to diagnosis and treatment remains limited.
Our work in gastroenterology and international medical cooperation has reinforced my belief that progress depends on connecting people, supporting professional training, and ensuring that knowledge translates into better care. These priorities guide our shared work at WEO.
Dr. Tamamyan’s emphasis on equity and his willingness to engage directly with governments resonate with this approach. I believe that the WHO needs leadership that listens to countries with different resources and experiences, builds trust across regions, and keeps patients at the center of its decisions. Strengthening local capacity and meaningful cooperation between governments and healthcare professionals are essential to that task.
With this conviction, I warmly endorse Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan’s candidacy and encourage Member States to give it their full consideration. I would welcome the opportunity for him to present his vision and discuss how it can respond to the needs of their populations.”
About Asadur Jorge Tchekmedyian
Asadur Jorge Tchekmedyian, FASGE, FSIED, is a Uruguayan-Armenian gastroenterologist and endoscopy specialist who serves as President of the World Endoscopy Organization (WEO), an international professional body dedicated to advancing digestive endoscopy through global education, research, training, and high-quality clinical care.
He is Chief of the Gastroenterology Service at the Asociación Española Primera de Socorros Mutuos and has held prominent leadership positions across the discipline, including serving as President of the Interamerican Society of Digestive Endoscopy (SIED) and the Uruguayan Society of Gastroenterology. Additionally, Dr. Tchekmedyian serves as a technical expert on the Advisory Board of the ROEYA Training Center and has acted as an external expert and advisor to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), contributing specialized expertise in radiation protection in endoscopy.
About Dr Gevorg Tamamyan
Dr Gevorg Tamamyan, MD, MSc, PhD, DSc, FASCO, is a prospective candidate for the post of Director-General of the World Health Organization, nominated by the Republic of Botswana. He is a global leader in oncology, health systems strengthening, and international health cooperation, recognized for building bridges between countries and advancing equitable cancer care in resource-limited settings.
Dr. Tamamyan is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology at Yerevan State Medical University and CEO of the Immune Oncology Research Institute (IMMONC).
He is the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of OncoDaily, one of the world’s largest oncology media platforms, created to democratize access to reliable, independent, and evidence-based cancer information globally.
Dr. Tamamyan was elected and currently serves as President of two major international pediatric oncology organizations: the International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP) Asia Continental Branch, representing pediatric oncology professionals across Asia, and the Pediatric Oncology East and Mediterranean (POEM) Group, uniting 28 countries and 110 cancer centers. He also serves as Co-Chair of the St. Jude EURO Regional Advisory Committee, encompassing 13 European countries.
At the age of 31, Dr. Tamamyan was appointed Head of the Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Armenia, where he led the consolidation of previously fragmented pediatric oncology and hematology services into a single national center. Under his leadership, the Center evolved into a regional reference point, with survival rates reaching up to 80%.
He also co-founded City of Smile, a national pediatric cancer charity that helps ensure universal coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of every child and young adult with cancer in Armenia.
Dr. Tamamyan is Chairman of the Board of the Institute of Cancer and Crisis and an adviser to the Rector of Yerevan State Medical University. He previously served as President of the Harvard Club of Armenia.
Educated and trained across seven countries in Europe, North America, and Asia, his professional journey spans frontline clinical practice, research, academic leadership, national cancer center management, global health diplomacy, and institution building.
He is the recipient of numerous international awards and distinctions, including Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (FASCO); ASCO LIFe and IDEA Awards; UICC and IARC Young Leader Awards; the 40 Under 40 in Cancer Award; the Latin American and Caribbean Society of Medical Oncology (SLACOM) Award for Global Oncology Leadership; and the Global Health Catalyst Distinguished Leader Award.
He is married and has two daughters, Charlize and Letizia.
Read more about Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan’s WHO candidacy:
Dr Gevorg Tamamyan is Nominated as a Candidate for WHO Director-General Position
Watch HRH Princess Dina Mired’s interview with Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan: The Man Who Challenged Cancer Hierarchies