Belfast Healthy Cities is proud to announce its appointment as the new Secretariat for the World Health Organization (WHO) European Healthy Cities Network – UK National Network.

This UK National Network forms part of the broader WHO European Healthy Cities initiative, which has been promoting health, equity, and sustainable development in cities across Europe since 1988. National networks, such as the UK Network, play a vital role in supporting cities to implement WHO goals at a local level, encouraging collaboration, sharing best practice, and strengthening health in all policies. The UK National Network supports cities, towns and organisations to deliver the WHO Healthy Cities framework at local level, which is a translation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Providing significant alignment with global and regional strategies, the UK National Network positions cities to put health on political and social agendas.

As Secretariat, Belfast Healthy Cities will coordinate the UK National Network’s activities, facilitate learning and knowledge exchange, and support towns and cities to embed health, wellbeing and equity into local governance. By facilitating shared learning and collaboration across member cities, it will promote the voice of UK cities within the WHO European Healthy Cities Network. The successful implementation of this approach centres on three key pillars: technical excellence, community participation, and political commitment at the local level.

Charlene Brooks, CEO at Belfast Healthy Cities commented: “Belfast Healthy Cities is delighted to provide secretariat for UK National Network and look forward to supporting cities, towns and organisations to deliver the WHO health and wellbeing priorities across the UK”.

Member cities benefit from access to WHO expertise, networking opportunities, and support in developing innovative approaches to urban health. Belfast is joined on the UK Network Steering Group by cities including Liverpool, which brings valuable insight and leadership to the collaborative effort.

Professor Matt Ashton, Director of Public Health, Liverpool City Council said: “Liverpool is proud to be a founding member of the World Health Organization’s Healthy Cities Network, a commitment that dates back to 1987. As one of the original pilot cities, we have consistently championed a ‘Health in All Policies’ approach – placing health, equity, and wellbeing at the heart of our local governance and urban planning. We are delighted to work closely with Belfast and other members of the UK Network to continue this important work.”

We look forward to supporting cities across the UK to become healthier, fairer, and more sustainable places to live and work.

For more information on the UK Healthy Cities Network or to get involved, contact Anne McCusker at UKHCN@belfasthealthycities.com or visit https://www.belfasthealthycities.com/uk-healthy-cities-network/