SPEAKERS
Introducing our Speakers
Keep an eye out for more speaker announcements coming soon.
Tevita G. Taginavulau Boseiwaqa
Executive Chairman of Special Administrators and Acting Chief Executive Officer of Suva City Council, Fiji
Mr. Tevita G. Taginavulau Boseiwaqa currently serves as the Executive Chairman of Special administrators and Acting Chief Executive Officer of Suva City Council. He is a seasoned public servant and development leader, and brings over three decades of experience in governance, policy formulation, and institutional leadership at national, regional, and international levels.
Mr. Boseiwaqa previously served as Director General of the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP), based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where he led 15 member countries in advancing rural development cooperation and policy innovation. He also held senior government roles including Permanent Secretary for Lands and Mineral Resources, and Deputy Secretary for Defence, National Security and Immigration.
He holds a Master of Business Administration and multiple postgraduate qualifications from the University of the South Pacific, and has authored publications on climate change, sustainable development, and public participation.
Mr. Boseiwaqa continues to champion smart urban growth, environmental resilience, and inclusive governance in his leadership of Suva City Council.
Kathryn Bowen
Professor of Climate, Environment, and Global Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, and Director of Melbourne Climate Futures, University of Melbourne
Kathryn is Professor of Climate, Environment, and Global Health at the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, and Director of Melbourne Climate Futures at the University of Melbourne. Additionally, she leads the newly established Climate CATCH Lab (Collaborative Action for Transformative Change in Health and Healthcare) and directs the WHO Collaborating Centre on Climate Change and Human Health. With 25 years of experience, she is a recognised global expert in sustainability science and policy, especially focusing on climate change and health. Her work includes public health research, science assessments, capacity building, and policy advising. She is a Lead Author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Health Chapter in both the Sixth and Seventh Assessment Reports. She is regularly engaged by international organizations like WHO, Green Climate Fund, UNEP, UNDP, ADB, World Bank, and DFAT to design solutions for sustainable climate futures. Her efforts focus on empowering colleagues, decision-makers, and stakeholders to drive impactful change.
Tony Capon
Adjunct Professor of Planetary Health at the University of Sydney
Tony Capon is a man of Ngāi Tahu and Pākehā descent, and the world’s first Professor of Planetary Health at the University of Sydney. A former Director of the International Institute for Global Health at United Nations University (UNU-IIGH), his research focuses on urbanism, sustainability, and human health. The inaugural Director of Public Health and Medical Officer of Health in Western Sydney, he has been active in the Healthy Cities movement for more than 30 years.
Tony was a Commissioner with the Rockefeller Foundation-Lancet Commission on Planetary Health and now chairs the WHO Technical Advisory Group on Climate Change, the Environment and Health in the Western Pacific Region, co-chairs the Future Earth Health Knowledge-Action Network, and is a member of the international advisory board for The Lancet Planetary Health. He has served in numerous honorary leadership roles with not-for-profit organisations around the world.
Ted Fields
Director, Burruguu Limited; Co-Chair, Narran Lakes Nature Reserve Joint Management Committee
Ted is a Gamilaraay/Yuwaalaraay man born and raised in Walgett NSW. Ted’s exposure to his language and culture has been present at the earliest days of his life and is now a recognised Gamilaraay/Yuwaalaraay cultural leader. Ted’s work is dedicated to promoting the understanding and knowledge base of Gamilaraay and Yuwaalaraay/Yuwaalayaay languages and cultures. He has worked with many stakeholder groups on cultural heritage and environmental management activities and projects which impact on his culture and country, including cultural advisory work with National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Land and Water Conservation, and as a member of Namoi River Management Committee, and Namoi Groundwater Management Committee. Ted has been an active member of Walgett Local Aboriginal Lands Council (WLALC) for over three decades, as both chairperson and as secretary.
Ted has worked with CI Yashadhana for over 10 years on various Aboriginal health projects. Since 2021 he has secured over $3.4M in MRFF funding (MRF2009522, MRF2025330) as a CI to further his decades long work in cultural health. He is the author of seminal publications on Aboriginal health and more recently within a special collection on cultural health in The Lancet (Regional Health), where he lead-authored a paper defining the key elements of cultural health with CI Foster titled Redefining the gap in Aboriginal health: from deficit to cultural connection. Since 2021, he has played a lead role in the development of the Gaawaadhi Gadudha Research Collaborative, as a member of the cultural governance group, and leading the conceptual and practical research on its formative project exploring the health and wellbeing impact of cultural camps as a CI (MRF2009522). Since 2022 Ted has played a lead role as CI for the Gaawaadhi Gadudha Research Collaborative grant (MRF2025330) to undertake a cluster-randomised clinical trial and evaluation of a cultural health program co-designed with fellow knowledge holders (CI O’Leary, CI Foster) and CIs Yashadhana, Biles, Brady, and Zwi which is currently in progress. In 2024, Ted and his partner CI O’Leary established Burruguu Limited a not for profit organisation which focuses on cultural connection and support, employment skills and training, social and family services and research and evaluation for the Gamilaraay/Yuwaalaraay community.
Ted has also contributed to a number of projects related to Aboriginal cultural heritage, environmental sciences, and public health. Between 2020 and 2022 he contributed to an evaluation of the health of Aboriginal culture at Dharriwaa (Narran Lakes) with Dr. Mal Ridges. Since 2022 Ted has been assisting with Phase 2 of the Next Generation Aboriginal Youth Wellbeing study (APP2015208) with CI Yashadhana and CI O’Leary, which successfully partnered with community organisations to collect clinical and non-clinical data from over 600 participants (youth and adults). Ted is a CI on a UNSW Ageing Futures seed grant (2022, $30k); to explore how connection to Country impacts health among Stolen Generations survivors alongside CIs Yashadhana, O’Leary and de Leeuw. He is co-lead investigator with CI Yashadhana and CI Brady on an analysis of the Pathways of Longitudinal Care Study data to explore cultural health and care among Aboriginal children in out of home care through an industry partnership with the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (2023).
The Hon. John Graham
NSW Special Minister of State, Minister for Transport, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council
The Hon. John Graham MLC was elected in 2016 to serve the people of NSW. As NSW Special Minister of State, Minister for Transport, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council, John Graham is committed to building and upgrading a transport network that connects people to jobs, housing, and each other through vibrant communities.
The Rt Hon Clover Moore AO
Lord Mayor of Sydney
Clover Moore is the longest serving Lord Mayor of Sydney. She is the first popularly elected woman to lead the City of Sydney and previously served in the NSW Parliament and on the City and South Sydney councils. As Lord Mayor, Clover has led the development and implementation of the City’s internationally renowned long term plan – Sustainable Sydney 2030. The plan includes ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse emissions.
Under her leadership, the City has developed a global reputation for delivering award-winning facilities, protecting open space, promoting design excellence, delivering new transport options, championing sustainability and initiating progressive solutions to complex city social problems.
Image: Courtesy of City of Sydney.
Sarah Ndiaye
Mayor, Byron Shire Council
Sarah Ndiaye has served on Byron Shire Council since 2016, holding roles as Councillor, Deputy Mayor and now Mayor.
Throughout her time on Council, she has been a strong advocate for affordable housing, sustainable development, and finding the right balance between local growth and the protection and restoration of Byron Shire’s natural environment. Sarah was an active supporter of the policy that saw Byron Shire become the first council in Australia to implement a 60-day cap on short-term rental accommodation, helping to protect long term housing for residents.
A former local journalist and high school teacher, Sarah is committed to addressing housing stress, supporting essential workers, strengthening climate resilience, and ensuring development is guided by long-term community, environmental, creative and social outcomes.
Pong Scarlett Oi Lan
Ms Pong Scarlett Oi Lan, BBS, JP, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy from Canada, completed the Harvard Business School Program for Global Leadership in the United States, and earned a Master of Arts in Australia. She serves as an Advisor to Our Hong Kong Foundation and the Federation of the Handicapped Youth. She is also a Board Trustee for New Era Trust, initiated by the Honourable Leung Chun-ying, Chief Advisor of Christian New Life Association Limited, and Honorary Professor at Hong Kong Nang Yan College of Higher Education. Currently, she is a Hong Kong Representative of the All-China Women’s Federation, Chairman of the Health Promoting School Advisory Committee, and a member of the Election Committee, the Steering Committee on Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, and the Committee on Promotion of Organ Donation. Ms Pong is the former President of both the Pharmaceutical Society of Hong Kong and the Practising Pharmacists Association of Hong Kong. She served as an elected District Councillor for 12 years and is a former Chairman of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons’ Association. She currently serves as an appointed District Councillor in Sha Tin District.
Ms Pong has worked extensively with the Alliance for Healthy Cities, having served as Chairman of its Steering Committee and as Organising Chairman of the Global Conferences of the Alliance in 2014 and 2021. She is now Vice Chairman of the Alliance for Healthy Cities, China Hong Kong Chapter, and Chairman of the Healthy Cities Foundation.
Over the years, Ms Pong has been appointed by the Government to numerous advisory and statutory bodies. She has served as a Board Member of the Hospital Authority, and as a member of the Health and Medical Development Advisory Committee, the Dental Sub-committee, the Chiropractors Council, the Council on Smoking and Health, and the Committee on Trust Fund for SARS. She was Chairman of the Action Committee Against Narcotics Sub-committee on Preventive Education and Publicity.
Her previous appointments include part-time membership in the Central Policy Unit, Council Member of Baptist University, and member of the Grantham Scholarships Fund Committee, the Commission on Youth, the Committee on Services for Youth at Risk, the Business Facilitation Advisory Committee, the Assessment Panel of the Innovation and Technology Fund, the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee, and the Women’s Commission, where she also served as Convenor of the Collaboration and Promotion Working Group.
Ms Pong has published more than ten books in Hong Kong. She also directed an anti-drug film that received a Golden Horse Award in Taiwan.
Among her honours, Ms Pong is a recipient of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award and the China 100 Outstanding Women Entrepreneur Award. She was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 2010, awarded the Bronze Bauhinia Star in 2016, and received the Award for Pioneers in Healthy Cities from the Alliance for Healthy Cities in 2018.
Dato’ Ir. Rajendran P. Anthony
Mayor, City Council of Penang Island
Dato’ Ir. Rajendran Anthony was born in Penang Island and is a civil engineer by profession. He started his career at the Municipal Council of Penang Island (now the City Council of Penang Island) in 1986. He has a B.Eng (Hons) degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.
In 2002, he was seconded to the State Economic Planning Unit to Head of the Traffic Section. Subsequently he was appointed as the General Manager of the State Public Transport Company in 2007. He returned to the City Council in 2009 as the Chief Engineer and was promoted to the Deputy Director of Engineering post in 2011 and the Director in 2018.
Based on his experience and performance in various positions and capacities, Ir. Rajendran was appointed as the City Secretary in 2022 has held the helm of the City Council of Penang Island as the Mayor from May 2023. His vision is to make Penang Island a Progressive, Resilient and Happy City.
Ir. Rajendran is an experienced engineer in Highways and Bridges Construction, Traffic Planning and Management, Public Transport Planning and Operation; and Solid Waste Operations and Management. He also oversees the Digital Transformation of the City Council of Penang Island. He is a professional engineer with practising certificate registered with the Board of Engineers Malaysia. In 2024, he was conferred the Honorary Fellow of The Institution of Engineers Malaysia for his contributions to the engineering profession and the institution.
Tim Ross
Comedian and Advocate for Architecture and Design
Master of Ceremonies for the Conference Dinner
The Hon. Paul Scully, MP
NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces
Paul Scully is the NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces.
He previously served as Shadow Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Shadow Minister for Police and Counter Terrorism and Shadow Minister for Natural Resources.
Paul was first elected to Parliament as the Member for Wollongong at a by-election in November 2016.
His background in politics, economics and innovation allows him to understand the many challenges of planning and urban development in NSW.
His focus is on working with all levels of government, the community and industry to solve housing, jobs and infrastructure challenges in NSW.
Dr. Tserendulam Shagdarsuren
Founder and Director of the Healthy City Network of Mongolia
Dr. Tserendulam Shagdarsuren is the Founder and Director of the Healthy City Network of Mongolia, the Mongolian Chapter of the Alliance for Healthy Cities (AFHC). A leading advocate for healthy urban development, she has been instrumental in introducing and expanding the Healthy City concept across Mongolia since 2006.
Dr. Tserendulam Shagdarsuren earned her Ph.D. in Environmental Health from Tokyo Medical and Dental University (Science Tokyo), where her research focused on the relationship between urbanization, health, and community well-being. She previously served as Executive Director of the Mongolian Association of Urban Centres, initiating the City Mayors’ Summits of Mongolia and leading nationwide programs integrating urban planning with public health.
She has coordinated collaborative projects with the World Health Organization, the Tokyo Medical and Dental University, and international partners to strengthen community health systems and promote equitable, sustainable cities. Currently, she lectures on Climate Change and Urban Health Policy at the National University of Medical Sciences of Mongolia, mentoring doctoral students. Her pioneering work bridges governance, health policy, and international cooperation—advancing the Healthy City movement and contributing to global dialogue on healthier, more resilient urban futures.
Dr Mick Staplevan
Environmental Engineer and Disaster Resilience Program Manager at the Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation
Dr Mick Staplevan is an environmental engineer and Disaster Resilience Program Manager at the Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation. He leads regional initiatives that help councils and communities prepare for climate, environmental, and disaster-related challenges, including disaster adaptation planning, risk mapping, and resilience capacity building. Holding a PhD in Environmental Engineering, Mick has also published extensively on plastics pollution and environmental sustainability. At the AFHC 2026 Global Conference, he will share insights from regional Australia on advancing resilience, sustainability, and community wellbeing through local government action.
Lim Taek
Chairperson of the Korea Healthy Cities Partnership
Born in 1963, Republic of Korea
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in French Language and Literature, Chonnam National University
Master’s Degree in Local Autonomy Administration, Graduate School of Policy Studies, Chosun University
Completed Doctoral Coursework in Political Science, Graduate School, Chonnam National University
Major Career:
July 2018 ~ Present : Mayor, Gwangju, the integrated special city of Jeonnam
Recipient of the 2024 WHO Healthy Cities Award – Community Engagement for Improving Health Equity
Recipient of the 2024 AFHC Healthy Cities Progress Award
Jan. 2023 ~ Dec. 2026 : Chairperson, Korea Healthy Cities Partnership(KHCP)
Led the KHCP Policy Leadership Academy Overseas Study Program (Apr. 25 – May 3, 2023)
Focused on Healthy Cities policies in four Northern European countries (Finland, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway)
Keynote Speaker & Panelist, 1st and 2nd World Health Cities Forum (2023–2024)
Led the KHCP Policy Leadership Academy Overseas Study Program (Apr. 3 – 11, 2025)
Study visit to WHO Headquarters (Geneva) and WHO Academy (Lyon)
Korea & Australia Healthy Cities International Webinar Held (July 8, 2025)
Attended Shanghai Fudan University Workshop on Health Cities and Urban Health(November 11, 2026)
2019 ~ 2022 : Member City, Steering Committee of KHCP
July 2017 ~ July 2020 : Board Member, Korea Photonics Technology Institute
July 2002 ~ Mar. 2004 : Representative, Council Forum for Participatory Autonomy 21
2005 ~ 2007 : Senior Committee Member, YMCA “Creating Good Neighborhoods” Initiative
Advisory Member, Gwangju Design Biennale
Reporter, Naeil Newspaper
Prof Nicole Turner
CEO of the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW
Nicole Turner is a proud Kamilaroi woman and one of the very few qualified Aboriginal Nutritionists throughout Australia. Before becoming a nutritionist, she began her career as an Aboriginal Health Worker and Enrolled Nurse, with now over 30 years experience in the health sector. Nicole has held numerous roles throughout her career and currently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Canberra. Her work has been published in several international journals, contributing to the field of chronic disease prevention and health promotion. She is the CEO of the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW and the Chairperson of Indigenous Allied Health Australia, bringing with her more than a decade of executive leadership within the ACCHO sector. In early 2026, Nicole was named the NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year, in recognition of her decades-long contribution to Aboriginal health equity and her leadership of the ACCHO sector across NSW.
Chieko Yamaguchi
Deputy Mayor of Obu City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Chieko Yamaguchi is Deputy Mayor of Obu City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, a position she has held since April 2024. She earned a Bachelor of Laws from Kyoto University and began her career with the Aichi Prefectural Government in 1987. Over nearly four decades, she has held senior leadership roles across cultural affairs, gender equality, and child welfare, including Director of Cultural Affairs, Director of Childcare Support, and Director General of the Citizens’ Affairs Department. She has also led initiatives promoting women’s empowerment. Drawing on her extensive administrative experience, she contributes to advancing inclusive, healthy, and sustainable community development in Obu City.
UNSW Advocacy Lab Students
The Advocacy Lab’s mission is to build students’ confidence, capacity and courage to act for health equity. A strategic initiative of UNSW’s School of Population Health, our projects participate in community-driven campaigns that seek to reshape the systemic drivers of collective health. For Global Conference for the Alliance of Healthy Cities, the Advocacy Lab is proud to present student perspectives on what healthy cities of the future need to look like.
Presenters are Sukhmeet Sooch, Zeel Patel, Morgan Au, Amber Murphy, Aye Nyein Hsu, King Islami, Azal Ahmed, Bhumika Chauhan, Alice McAuliffe, Javaid Alam and Solongo Erdenebat.