The WHO European Healthy Cities Network is organizing the Political Committee meeting on September 5– 6 in Brno, Czechia, with a diverse agenda that includes the launch of a report, a political dialogue on the well-being economy political statement, site visits, progress on One Health, a holistic approach to human, animal, and environmental health, and its roadmap to the 29th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP 29). The meeting is hosted by the City of Brno and the Healthy Cities National Network of Czechia and will be chaired by Filip Chvátal, Deputy Mayor of Brno, and co-chaired by Kira Fortune, Regional Adviser, Healthy Cities, Health Promotion, and Well-being, WHO/Europe.
Objectives of the meeting include:
- launching the “City leadership for health and sustainable development” report, which is aimed at decision-makers and professionals, and contains essential facts and advice on launching, leading and implementing Healthy Cities initiatives;
- reviewing how cities within the WHO European Healthy Cities Network are actively implementing the principles outlined in the Political Statement adopted in November 2023;
- providing feedback on the initial findings and plans for the Phase VII evaluation of the network, with a specific focus on strengthening the role and structure of the Political Committee throughout this phase; and
- initiating discussion on Phase VIII of the network and outlining the strategic direction and priorities for the next programmatic phase, Phase VIII, of the Healthy Cities Network.
Expected outcome
The meeting aims to identify and map priority actions for the Secretariat and the Political Committee of the network to undertake in 2024–25, including the pilot on a well-being economy. Additionally, the discussions will contribute to the evaluation of Phase VII and the development of Phase VIII of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network.
Session on health and well-being economy and One Health
During the meeting, a moderated roundtable discussion session at Brno City Hall will focus on representatives and cities participating in “Building a Well-being Economy: A Pilot Programme for Healthy Cities in Europe”. The discussion will focus on ways to engage decision-makers from pilot cities and explore advocacy tools needed to accelerate efforts on localizing health and a well-being economy.
Actions taken in cities following the Annual Business Meeting and Technical Conference in November 2023 of the network, particularly the 12 recommendations adopted in the Political Statement on health and a well-being economy and upcoming opportunities for engagement, will also be discussed among pilot cities and Political Committee members.
Furthermore, city representatives will share progress made towards implementing One Health principles in their local initiatives. Members will also deliberate on ways to amplify local activities on a global level at COP 29.
Participation in this meeting is by invitation only to elected political members and technical leads.
For more information about the WHO European Healthy Cities Network, please contact eurohealthycities@who.int.