Major organizations and professional communities have expressed their support for Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan in running for the WHO DG position. London Global Cancer Week has recently shared their endorsement.
“The Steering Committee of London Global Cancer Week is proud to endorse our colleague, Dr Gevorg Tamamyan, following his nomination by the Government of Botswana as a candidate for Director-General of the World Health Organization.
Gevorg is not simply someone we know by reputation. He is a valued member of the London Global Cancer Week Steering Committee, and we have seen first-hand his commitment to bringing people, institutions and countries together around a shared purpose.
His nomination is also significant. An Armenian physician nominated by Botswana to lead the world’s foremost global health organisation is a powerful example of what international partnership can look like when leadership and ideas are allowed to cross traditional geographical boundaries.
Throughout his career, Gevorg has worked across borders to advance childhood cancer care, strengthen international collaboration and advocate for more equitable access to cancer treatment. He has built networks connecting clinicians and institutions across countries with very different resources and health systems.
These principles resonate strongly with London Global Cancer Week.
We believe that the challenges facing global health cannot be solved by countries working in isolation. They require collaboration between high-, middle- and low-income countries, stronger health systems, meaningful partnerships and a willingness to ensure that advances in medicine actually reach the people who need them.
Gevorg has spoken about a WHO that is stronger, faster and more effective, while working closely with Member States so that progress in health is accessible to everyone.
As colleagues who have worked alongside him, we recognise the commitment to global collaboration behind that vision. At a time when global health needs bridge-builders, we are proud to see a member of our own London Global Cancer Week community step forward and offer his leadership on the global stage.
The London Global Cancer Week Steering Committee congratulates Dr Gevorg Tamamyan on his nomination and is proud to support his candidacy for Director-General of the World Health Organization.
We wish you every success, Gevorg.”
About London Global Cancer Week
London Global Cancer Week is an annual hybrid event held every November that brings together global oncology leaders, policymakers, researchers, and patient advocates to address disparities in worldwide cancer care. Rather than a single conference, it operates as an umbrella platform where organizations like the WHO, IAEA, and leading academic institutions host partner sessions focusing on expanding access to diagnosis, radiotherapy, and treatment-particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
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 32, 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