Mirian Gom 
Helen Clark
ABUJA, Nigeria – Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has appointed former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark as its new Board Chair, effective January 2026.
In a statement on Monday, the Alliance said Clark’s selection followed an eight-month search from 240 candidates worldwide. She succeeds Professor José Manuel Barroso, whose term ends in December 2025.
Clark, who led New Zealand for three terms between 1999 and 2008, also served as Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme until 2017. She currently heads the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London.
“I’m honoured to be selected as Gavi’s next Chair,” Clark said. “The coming years will bring challenges and opportunities, and I look forward to helping Gavi meet its most ambitious goals yet.”
Gavi’s CEO, Dr Sania Nishtar, praised Clark’s “deep experience in global governance” and said her leadership would be vital as Gavi launches its sixth strategic period in 2026.
Outgoing Chair Barroso hailed Clark as “a proven champion of health and development” and expressed confidence that she would continue Gavi’s mission to expand vaccine access in fragile and low-income nations.
Since 2000, Gavi has supported vaccination for more than half the world’s children, helping prevent millions of deaths from preventable diseases.
About the Author
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Koko Maxwella 
Otamere Gladness 
Oluwatobi Adu