Event highlights
More than 550 participants from across the WHO European Region gathered in Viana do Castelo, Portugal, from 16–18 June for the WHO European Healthy Cities Network Annual Business Meeting and Technical Conference 2026, reflecting on 40 years since the adoption of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion. The conference also marked the first year of Phase VIII (2026–2030), the Network’s new 5-year programme, which sets out 7 priorities – People, Place, Planet, Prosperity, Participation, Peace and Prepare – to guide action and support cities in advancing the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
The conference brought together mayors, elected representatives, city coordinators, researchers, practitioners, community organizations and partner institutions to exchange experiences and explore how cities can address contemporary health, equity and sustainability challenges through local action.
Opening plenary sessions examined the evolving determinants of health and their implications for cities. Contributions from Kevin Fenton and Ronald Labonté reflected on the continuing relevance of health promotion and equity in today’s context, while Mayor Luís Nobre, Councillor Ricardo Rego and representatives of the Municipality of Viana do Castelo welcomed participants to the city.
The first plenary explored the digital, climate and commercial determinants of health. Speakers including Seyi Akiwowo, Colin Sage (independent research scholar), Rachael Stanton (Policy and Advocacy Officer, NCD Alliance) and Adele Zeynep Walton (founder of Logging Off Club and journalist), discussed how cities can respond to emerging challenges related to digital governance, safety, accountability and social well-being.
The second plenary focused on creating healthier and more inclusive urban environments across the life course. Rita Sá Machado and Mara Mintzer were joined by Nourhan Bassam (founder and CEO of The Gendered City, the Netherlands (Kingdom of the)), Sílvia Cunha (Director of the Municipal Health Department at Porto City Council), Clare McGuire (Child and Young People Coordinator, Derry City and Strabane Council’s Child-Friendly Cities Initiative) and Ingunn S. Jacobsen (Healthy City Coordinator, Horsens Municipality) to discuss approaches to urban design that support children, older adults and gender equity, highlighting the benefits of inclusive planning for all residents.
A central component of the week was the Political Meeting, which brought together 110 political representatives and technical experts. Discussions focused on strengthening local leadership for health and climate action and advancing shared commitments ahead of the forthcoming WHO Summit of Mayors in Cork, Ireland, on 5–6 October 2026.
Throughout the conference, participants engaged in:
- over 75 oral presentations
- 5 capacity-building workshops
- 8 working group and task force meetings
- 14 site visits
- interacting with 58 digital posters.
These activities provided opportunities for peer learning, capacity-building and collaboration while showcasing innovative practices from cities across the Region. Sessions explored how these interconnected themes can support cities in addressing health inequities, promoting resilience and advancing sustainable development.
The conference also highlighted the continued growth and influence of the Healthy Cities movement. What began with 11 cities has expanded its access to reach more than 1900 cities across the Region, demonstrating the enduring role of local governments in advancing health and well-being.
Phase VIII of the Network marks a new chapter, reaffirming the commitment of member cities to work together in creating healthier, fairer and more sustainable communities for current and future generations.
Event notice
From 17 to 19 June 2026, the WHO European Healthy Cities Network will convene in Viana do Castelo for its Annual Business Meeting and Technical Conference – the first annual gathering of its new programmatic phase, Phase VIII. Marking the 40th anniversary of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion, the conference will feature keynote contributions from Kevin Fenton, Ronald Labonté, Seyi Akiwowo, Rita Sá Machado and Mara Mintzer.
Registration is now open and will close at 11:59 PM (CEST) on 24 May 2026. Participants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications well before the deadline.
Kevin Fenton, Regional Director for Public Health for NHS London, is recognized for his leadership in public health systems and health equity. Ronald Labonté, Professor Emeritus, School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Canada, is known for his work on health equity, particularly in relation to health promotion. Seyi Akiwowo works at the intersection of artificial intelligence systems, policy and institutional accountability. Rita Sá Machado, Portugal’s Director-General of Health, is a public health physician with experience in epidemiology, migration health and health policy leadership. Mara Mintzer, co-founder and Executive Director of Growing Up Boulder, is recognized for advancing youth participation and child-friendly city planning through community engagement and urban design.
Under the theme “Healthy Cities for Healthy Generations,” the 2026 conference will explore how cities can shape environments that enable people to thrive at every stage of life – from early childhood to older age. As the first annual meeting of Phase VIII, it will provide a critical platform for aligning priorities, sharing knowledge and accelerating implementation.
The Network continues to advance its work through structured, multiyear phases that provide a shared vision and coordinated action for cities across the WHO European Region. Phase VIII introduces a renewed focus on creating healthier, more equitable and sustainable urban environments, building on decades of progress while responding to emerging challenges.
At the core of Phase VIII are 7 guiding pillars – People, Place, Planet, Participation, Prosperity, Peace and Prepare. These 7Ps form an integrated framework to support cities in protecting health, promoting well-being and strengthening resilience across the life course, with a strong emphasis on equity and community participation.
Alongside the keynote speakers, the programme will feature a diverse range of experts and city leaders contributing to discussions, workshops and knowledge exchange. Registration is now open for all those committed to advancing healthier, more inclusive and sustainable cities across the European Region.