Department of Sustainable Development

Death of Dr. Lee Jong-Wook, Director-General of the World Health Organization

(22 May 2006)

Photo by Leonardo Zavattaro

The OAS Department of Sustainable Development is deeply saddened by the untimely death of Dr. Lee Jong-Wook, Director-General of the World Health Organization. For more than 20 years of service to the WHO, Dr. Lee was a leader in the fight of global health problems, particularly those affecting the poor in developing countries. The OAS and its member countries remain profoundly grateful for Dr. Lee’s vision, leadership and passionate commitment to human health protection, and in particular for his leadership in supporting the Health and Environment Ministers of the Americas Initiative.

Dr. Lee Jong-Wook (fifth from left) at the Meeting of the Ministers of Health and Environment of the Americas (HEMA), Mar del Plata, Argentina 16 & 17 June, 2005.
Photo by Leonardo Zavattaro