ABOUT ALLIANCE FOR HEALTHY CITIES
The Alliance for Healthy Cities
The Alliance for Healthy Cities is the official network of healthy cities in WHO’s Western Pacific Region, connecting 200+ local government members and 50+ associate organisations. With Seoul Metropolitan Government as current Chair City (2024-2026) and Kiama Council chairing the Steering Committee (2024-2028), both UNSW Cities Institute and Healthy Cities Australia are strategically positioned as Associate Members, with UNSW holding Academic Committee representation and Healthy Cities Australia serving as Non-Government Organisation representatives on the Steering Committee, to host this influential gathering.
Previous Conference Impact
The 10th Global Conference, held in Seoul (September 2024), attracted:
● 1,233 participants from 51 countries
● Representatives from 207 cities
● 59 high-level participants including mayors and senior officials
Who Should attend?
Alliance for Healthy Cities
● Member cities and local governments (200+)
● Associate member organisations (50+)
● AFHC Steering Committee members
● WHO Western Pacific Regional Office representatives
● International healthy cities networks
Local Government Representatives
● Mayors and elected officials
● Local government staff and health promotion teams
● Urban planners and transport coordinators
● Community development officers
Academics
● Public health, epidemiology, and health promotion
● Urban planning and design
● Indigenous health and environmental health
● Data science and health informatics specialists
● Postgraduate students across relevant disciplines
Government
● State and federal government departments
● Regional health authorities
Community & Civil Society
● NGOs and NFPs working in health equity, prevention, and social determinants
● Community-based practitioners and health promotion professionals
● Social marketing and behaviour change specialists
Industry & Professional Sectors
● Developers and urban design consultants
● Health systems and evaluation professionals
● Transport and infrastructure specialists
● Community wellbeing consultants
● Food systems professionals
Conference History
| Year | City | Country | Participants | Theme |
| 2004 |
Kuching |
Malaysia | N/A | Bringing Healthy Cities to Greater Heights through Stronger Networking and Community Empowerment |
| 2006 |
The City of Suzhou |
China | N/A | Healthy Cities in the Globalizing World |
| 2008 |
Ichikawa |
Japan | 4,700 | Health Security in the City: Healthy Cities activities building a better future |
| 2010 |
Gangnam-gu, Seoul |
Korea | 2,000 | Ubiquitous Healthy City: Application of Information & Communication Technology (ICT) to Healthy |
| 2012 | Logan City, Australian Chapter | Australia | 478 | Healthy Urbanisation : Healthy People – Healthy Communities |
| 2014 | China Hong Kong Chapter | China | 739 | Health in All Policies |
| 2016 |
Wonju |
Korea | 654 | Our Cities, Our Health, Our Future |
| 2018 |
Kuching |
Malaysia | 951 | Our Cities, Our SDGs, Our Journey |
| 2021 | China Hong Kong Chapter (Virtual) | China | N/A | Smarter Healthy Cities beyond COVID-19 |
| 2024 | Seoul Metropolitan Government | Korea | 1,233 | Smarter and Healthier Cities for a Better Future |