The global public health community is in mourning following the passing of Dr David Nabarro, a towering figure in international development, humanitarian response, and global health equity. Dr Nabarro passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, 25 July, at the age of 75. Throughout a distinguished career spanning decades, he served at the absolute forefront of the world’s most critical health challenges, from malaria control and pandemic responses to nutrition security and climate change mitigation. Most recently, he lent his immense expertise, steady leadership, and calming presence to the world stage as a WHO Special Envoy on COVID-19.
To colleagues, leaders, and frontline workers across every continent, Dr Nabarro was far more than an accomplished strategist and diplomat. He was universally respected as a deeply compassionate champion of health, equity, and marginalized populations worldwide. Blessed with a rare combination of visionary thinking, practical skill, and profound patience, he mentored and supported countless professionals throughout their careers, leaving an indelible imprint on generations of public health advocates.
In an official statement released by the organization, World Health Organization Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed his profound grief over the loss. "I am deeply shocked and saddened by the passing of our dear friend, colleague and WHO Envoy David Nabarro," Dr Tedros said. "David was a great champion of global health and health equity, and a wise, generous mentor to countless individuals. His work touched and impacted so many lives across the world. On behalf of WHO, I’m extending our heartfelt condolences to David’s family, friends and colleagues. Rest in peace, my dear friend. We will dearly miss your expertise, wisdom and kindness."
Dr Nabarro’s career was defined by his extraordinary versatility. He wore many hats, reflecting his vast expertise, boundless energy, and unwavering readiness to assist across an immense spectrum of interconnected sectors, including human health, sustainable nutrition, and the escalating crisis of climate change. His ability to navigate complex geopolitical landscapes and bridge divides between governments, international agencies, and civil society made him an indispensable asset to the global multilateral system.
His foundational leadership within the World Health Organization began in earnest between 1999 and 2005, when he held several pivotal senior positions. He initially stepped into the role of Executive Director responsible for the Roll Back Malaria Project and the Office of the Director-General, driving efforts to tackle one of the world’s most persistent preventable killers. He subsequently transitioned to serve as the Director-General’s Special Representative for Health Action in Crises, coordinating emergency responses in some of the most volatile and distressed regions on Earth.
In 2005, Dr Nabarro’s exceptional crisis management skills led to his recruitment by the wider United Nations system. Over the following decade and a half, he undertook a succession of high-stakes, high-pressure assignments for successive UN Secretaries-General. He served as the UN System Senior Coordinator for Avian and Pandemic Influenza from 2005 to 2014, helping the international community navigate the looming threats of emerging animal-to-human pathogens. Concurrently, from 2008 to 2014, he acted as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Food Security and Nutrition.
His leadership in nutrition culminated in his appointment as Coordinator of the Movement for Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) from 2011 to 2014, holding the rank of Assistant Secretary-General. In 2014, as the devastating West Africa Ebola outbreak sent shockwaves through the international community, the UN Secretary-General appointed Dr Nabarro as Special Envoy for the West Africa Ebola Outbreak Response, placing him at the helm of a complex, multi-national containment and support effort. Demonstrating his adaptability across broader sustainability frameworks, he later served as Special Adviser for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Climate Change from 2016 to 2017 as an Under-Secretary-General.
Recognizing his deep institutional knowledge of emergency governance, the WHO Director-General appointed him in 2015 to chair the expert group tasked with reforming the organization’s operational framework for handling outbreaks and health emergencies. His analytical rigor and commitment to institutional learning helped shape the modern architecture of global health security. In recognition of his tireless efforts and lifelong leadership on nutrition and public welfare, he was awarded the prestigious World Food Prize in October 2018.
Dr Nabarro’s influence extended deeply into academia and independent foundations. From mid-2019 until 2025, he served as Co-Director and Chair of Global Health at the Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London. Eager to foster the next wave of change-makers, he co-founded the Swiss-based 4SD Foundation (Skills Systems and Synergies for Sustainable Development) alongside Florence Lasbennes in 2018. Through the foundation, he dedicated significant time to training and mentoring leaders committed to driving sustainable development from within existing systems.
Between 2018 and 2025, Dr Nabarro curated the Food Systems Dialogues, facilitating critical conversations aimed at transforming global food production and distribution to meet the challenges of the 21st century. His work in environmental sustainability also saw him contribute directly to preparations for the United Nations Climate Action Summit in September 2019. During that period, he co-facilitated the coalition that advanced the Nature-Based Solutions workstream, an initiative co-led by China and New Zealand. Furthermore, he co-chaired the vital forum on Climate Change and Health, which successfully concluded its work at the World Innovation Summit for Health in November 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe in early 2020, Dr Nabarro was once again called upon to serve at the highest levels of international response. In March 2020, the WHO Director-General appointed him as Special Envoy on COVID-19, a critical role he maintained right up until his passing. Under his strategic leadership, the 4SD Foundation led the pivotal Summit Dialogues that directly contributed to the landmark 2021 UN Food Systems Summit. From those dialogues, a robust network of National Convenors for Food Systems transformation emerged—a network that remains active and influential to this day.
When the conflict in Ukraine erupted, threatening global food and energy security, Dr Nabarro answered the call once more, joining the UN Secretary-General’s Food, Energy and Finance crisis response group and co-leading its vital Food Workstream. In recognition of his profound, lifelong contributions to global health and international cooperation, King Charles III knighted Dr Nabarro in 2023.
In an official statement released under the poignant title "A Difficult Announcement," the 4SD Foundation confirmed his passing at his home on Friday, 25 July. "David’s generosity and unwavering commitment to improve the lives of others will be sorely missed," the foundation’s statement read. "He leaves behind his beloved wife, Flo, his children, Tom, Ollie, Polly, Josie, Lucas and seven grandchildren. The family is comforted by the support and compassion extended to them as they navigate this difficult time."
On 30 July, Dr Nabarro’s family released a personal statement expressing their gratitude for the widespread global response. "We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of tributes to David, and for the kindness to all who mourn his passing," the family stated. "Across the fields of international development, especially public health, food systems transformation, nutrition and crisis response, we are proud to see how his legacy will continue through so many compassionate leaders working to shift systems from within."
A small, private funeral service is scheduled to be held with close family on Monday, 4 August. In the weeks ahead, a series of memorial services will take place, providing an opportunity for the countless individuals whose lives, careers, and communities were touched by Dr Nabarro to gather and pay their final respects.
The WHO and the Nabarro family have established resources for those wishing to honor his memory. An online memorial web page has been created for individuals worldwide to leave messages, memories, and mementos, while further updates regarding memorial arrangements continue to be shared through official channels.
Contact Information:
Paul Garwood
Communications Officer
World Health Organization (WHO)
