Darryl Barrett

Darryl is a health and legal leader dedicated to advancing health equity for persons with disabilities on a global scale. With over 30 years of experience spanning public policy, regulatory reform, and service delivery, he has advised governments, multilateral agencies, and civil society in more than 72 countries – from fragile to high-resource settings. Currently, as the head of the Global Disability programme at the World Health Organization (WHO) Headquarters in Geneva, Darryl spearheads the development of transformative policies, advocacy initiatives, and capacity-building efforts. His work is pivotal in supporting countries to dismantle barriers and ensure inclusive systems for all. Previously, he led the disability and rehabilitation programme, and the health law unit at the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific. Throughout his career, Darryl has been a driving force behind programmes that tackle complex legal and governance challenges, while keeping the voices of marginalized populations at the centre. He is renowned for his expertise in navigating political and operational landscapes within the UN, governments, and international organizations to deliver tangible, on-the-ground impact.