Soni, a global health expert, will assume his new charge as the first CEO of the WHO Foundation on January 1 next year.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described Soni as a proven innovator in global health who has spent two decades in service of communities affected by HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases.

In his new role, Soni will accelerate the Foundation's work to invest in innovative, evidence-based initiatives that support WHO in delivering on its mission to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all, the WHO Foundation stated.