At the Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus presented the prestigious Director-General’s Award for Global Health to Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados and Professors Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman for their exceptional contributions to global health.

Established in 2019, the Director-General’s Award for Global Health recognizes individuals and entities for their significant impact on global health. This year, Prime Minister Mottley was honored for her leadership in climate action and health, particularly in her role as Chair of the Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance. Dr. Tedros highlighted her tireless efforts, stating, "Prime Minister Mottley's exemplary leadership in fighting for a more equitable, just, and sustainable world is inspiring. WHO considers climate change to be the greatest health threat facing humanity. Her tireless efforts for climate action help protect the health of all peoples, now and in the future." Prime Minister Mottley received the award on May 26, ahead of the World Health Assembly.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley, the first woman to serve as the Prime Minister of Barbados, has been a significant figure in promoting sustainable policies amid global challenges such as climate change. She holds additional portfolios as Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs, and Investment. Under her leadership, Barbados has made substantial strides in health and climate action, earning her multiple accolades on the international stage.

On May 27, at the opening of the World Health Assembly, Professors Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman of the University of Pennsylvania were recognized for their groundbreaking work in developing mRNA vaccines for COVID-19. Dr. Tedros remarked, “Professors Karikó and Weissman played a key role in alleviating the burden of COVID-19 and saved lives during the pandemic. Their leadership in this field has the potential to play a critical role in improving health worldwide.”

Professors Karikó and Weissman were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2023 for their pioneering work that fundamentally changed our understanding of mRNA's interaction with the immune system. Professor Karikó, a professor at the University of Szeged in Hungary and adjunct professor of neurosurgery at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, has dedicated four decades to RNA-mediated research. Her work has been instrumental in the development of in vitro-transcribed mRNA for protein therapy.

Professor Drew Weissman, the Roberts Family Professor in Vaccine Research and Director of the Penn Institute for RNA Innovation, is a distinguished scientist and physician. His contributions to immunology, particularly the discovery of a novel nucleoside-modified mRNA platform with Professor Karikó, have been pivotal in advancing vaccine technology and immunology.

The recognition of these global health leaders underscores the importance of innovative scientific research and committed leadership in addressing pressing health challenges. Their contributions serve as an inspiration for continued efforts towards improving global health outcomes.