The World Health Organization (WHO) is the United Nations specialised agency for international public health. Its global headquarters in Geneva supports worldwide health policy, technical programmes, disease surveillance, emergency coordination, standards, research guidance and cooperation with member countries. People may need the headquarters details for official correspondence, publications, media matters, employment information, technical enquiries or communication relating to WHO’s global work. WHO Headquarters is located at Avenue Appia 20 in Geneva, Switzerland, close to the international-organisations district. The organisation publishes a main telephone number but does not present one universal public email address for every type of enquiry. Instead, it directs users to its online contact form and service-specific contacts. The guide below explains the address, telephone, online contact options and the difference between headquarters and WHO’s regional offices.
Quick About WHO Headquarters
| Details | Information |
| Organisation | World Health Organization |
| Short Name | WHO |
| Organisation Type | United Nations specialised agency for health |
| Headquarters City | Geneva, Switzerland |
| Headquarters Address | Avenue Appia 20, CH-1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland |
| Main Telephone | +41 22 791 21 11 |
| General Email | No single general public email listed; use WHO contact form/service-specific contacts |
| Official Website | who.int |
| Established | 7 April 1948 |
WHO Headquarters Address
WHO Headquarters is located on Avenue Appia in Geneva. The address is consistently used on WHO’s official contact pages and for headquarters-based programmes. When sending mail for a specific technical department, publication unit or official, include the department or service name so that correspondence can be routed correctly.
| Particular | Details |
| Office Name | World Health Organization Headquarters |
| Street | Avenue Appia 20 |
| Postal Code / City | CH-1211 Geneva 27 |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Main Telephone | +41 22 791 21 11 |
Postal Address: World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, CH-1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland.
The headquarters address should not be used automatically for country-level health programme questions. WHO has regional and country offices that may be more suitable for local matters.
WHO Headquarters Location
WHO Headquarters is in Geneva’s international-organisations area, near the Palais des Nations and the International Conference Centre. The location is north of central Geneva and is connected to the city’s public transport network.
- Area: Avenue Appia, international-organisations district of Geneva.
- Nearby reference: Palais des Nations and the International Conference Centre are useful orientation points.
- Rail connection: Genève-Cornavin is the main central railway station for onward public transport.
- Airport access: Geneva Airport is connected to the city centre by frequent trains and public transport.
WHO Headquarters Contact Number
WHO lists +41 22 791 21 11 as the main telephone number for its Geneva headquarters. This is a central contact number, but specialised matters such as media, employment, publications or technical programmes are handled through dedicated services.
| Contact Purpose | Contact Details |
| WHO Headquarters Main Telephone | +41 22 791 21 11 |
| General Enquiries | WHO contact page and FAQ / online contact form |
| Employment | WHO Careers pages and recruitment system |
| Media | WHO newsroom and media contacts |
A general headquarters call may help with routing, but it is usually faster to use the relevant service listed on WHO’s official contact page.
WHO Headquarters Email Id and Online Contact
WHO does not publish one universal general email address on its main headquarters contact page. For ordinary questions or website feedback, WHO directs users to an online form titled “Submit your comment or question”. Regional offices and specialised programmes publish their own email addresses where appropriate.
- General questions: Use the official WHO contact form after checking the FAQ and topic pages.
- Employment: Use WHO Careers rather than sending applications to a general office address.
- Media: Use the newsroom and media-contact directory.
- Regional matters: Use the relevant WHO regional or country office contact details.
How to Reach WHO Headquarters
- From Geneva Airport: Take a train or public transport toward central Geneva, then continue by bus, tram or taxi to the Appia/Nations area.
- From Genève-Cornavin: Use Geneva public transport toward the international-organisations district and Avenue Appia.
- By Taxi: Give the destination as ‘WHO, Avenue Appia 20, Geneva’ to distinguish it from regional offices.
- For official visits: Allow time for security and visitor registration, and carry valid photo identification when required.
WHO Headquarters vs Regional Offices
| WHO Headquarters | WHO Regional / Country Offices |
| Coordinates global policies, standards and programmes | Support health work within specific regions and countries |
| Located in Geneva, Switzerland | Located in six WHO regions and many countries |
| Relevant for global-level departments and official HQ matters | Often more suitable for local programme and country-specific enquiries |
For India and neighbouring countries in the South-East Asia Region, WHO also maintains its South-East Asia Regional Office in New Delhi. A country or regional issue may therefore be handled closer to the location concerned rather than in Geneva.
When Should You Contact WHO Headquarters?
- Official correspondence related to a global WHO department or programme.
- General organisation-level enquiries that are not covered by a regional or country office.
- Media or publication matters directed to headquarters services.
- Technical or administrative communication where a WHO page specifically provides the Geneva headquarters as the contact point.
Important Points Before Contacting WHO
- Check WHO’s FAQ and health-topic pages before sending a general enquiry.
- Use the regional or country office for location-specific programme matters when appropriate.
- Do not send medical emergencies or requests for individual diagnosis to WHO Headquarters.
- Job applications should go through the official recruitment system.
- For a planned visit, confirm access arrangements in advance rather than assuming walk-in entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Does WHO Headquarters provide individual medical advice?
WHO publishes evidence-based health information and guidance, but its headquarters is not a hospital or personal medical consultation service. People needing diagnosis, treatment or urgent medical help should contact qualified local healthcare services or the appropriate emergency provider.
Q. Is there a general WHO Headquarters email address?
WHO’s main contact page does not list one universal email for all public enquiries. It directs users to an online question/comment form and to separate contacts for media, employment, publications, regional offices and specialised programmes.
Q. Can visitors enter WHO Headquarters without an appointment?
Access to an international-organisation headquarters is controlled. Visitors attending meetings or official appointments should follow the instructions provided by WHO, allow time for security procedures and carry valid photo identification. General public access should not be assumed.
Q. Should a health programme question from India be sent to Geneva?
Not always. WHO’s South-East Asia Regional Office is based in New Delhi, and country-level programmes may have their own contacts. Use the Geneva headquarters when the matter is genuinely global or when an official WHO page directs you there.
Q. How should someone contact WHO about a job application?
Use WHO’s official Careers pages and recruitment system. General headquarters contacts are not intended to receive job applications, and applicants should rely on vacancy-specific instructions to avoid fraudulent recruitment messages.
