Recognition of Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan’s candidacy for WHO Director-General continues across the global oncology community.
Prof. Dr. Eduardo Cazap, Founder and First President of SLACOM and Past President of UICC, formally endorses his nomination.
“In Support of Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan for WHO Director-General
To the Executive Board of the World Health Organization and the World Health Assembly,
I, Prof. Dr. Eduardo Cazap, and the institutions I represent, am deeply pleased to offer my firm and unreserved endorsement of Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan for the position of Director-General of the World Health Organization.
In an era defined by increasingly complex global public health challenges, the WHO requires a leader who possesses not only outstanding professional expertise and longterm strategic vision, but also an unwavering commitment to universal health equity. Dr. Tamamyan perfectly embodies this profile, pairing exceptional clinical expertise in pediatric oncology with extensive, high-level experience in global health diplomacy and policy.
Dr. Tamamyan’s tireless work in expanding equitable access to cancer care for low- and middle-income populations deeply aligns with the core global priorities of the WHO. As a leading practitioner and a proven builder of inclusive international partnerships, he brings the critical, hands-on experience necessary to confront the rising global burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). His unique candidacy effectively bridges the gap between frontline clinical practice and high-level public health policy, ensuring that under his leadership, the WHO will be significantly strengthened to help Member States build resilient health systems and advance true global health equity.
Drawing upon my decades of experience in global oncology and international health leadership, I wholeheartedly support Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan’s candidacy and strongly urge Member States to give his nomination their highest and full consideration.
Sincerely,
Prof. Dr. Eduardo Cazap
Founder and First President, Latin American and Caribbean Society of Medical Oncology (SLACOM)
Past President, Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).”
About Prof. Dr. Eduardo Cazap
Prof. Dr. Eduardo Cazap, MD, PhD, FASCO, is an Argentine medical oncologist who served two terms as President of the Argentine Association of Clinical Oncology. He founded the Latin American and Caribbean Society of Medical Oncology (SLACOM), serving as its first President, and led the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). He also co-chaired the Civil Society Committee advising the President of the UN General Assembly on non-communicable diseases, contributing to global cancer policy discussions.
He serves as Co-Editor of the Global Health section of The Oncologist and sits on the editorial boards of several leading oncology journals, including The Lancet Oncology. He has received the Distinguished Service Award from the Foundation for the Conquest of Cancer, Harvard Medical School’s Distinguished Leader Award, a Diploma of Honor from the Argentine National Senate, and the Lifetime Achievement Yvonne Award for his contributions to global oncology.
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