Twenty years after the establishment of the Alliance for Healthy Cities (AFHC) in the WHO Western Pacific Region, Healthy Cities networks continue to play an important role in connecting local governments, sharing innovation, and advancing health, wellbeing and sustainability at the local level. Across Asia-Pacific, many countries have developed strong national Healthy Cities networks that support municipalities, strengthen advocacy, foster peer learning, and create closer links between local governments and the World Health Organization (WHO).

As Australia explores the current appetite or readiness to re-establish a national Healthy Cities Network, this pre-conference information session will bring together leaders, practitioners, researchers and policymakers from across the region to learn from the experiences of countries that have successfully coordinated Healthy Cities movements over many years.

What can Australia learn from our regional neighbours?

Representatives from Healthy Cities networks in Japan, Republic of Korea, Mongolia and the Philippines will share their experiences of establishing and sustaining national Healthy Cities networks, including:

Governance and coordination models
Building and maintaining membership
Relationships with WHO and national governments
Funding and sustainability approaches
Supporting local government implementation
Measuring impact and demonstrating value

Looking Back – Looking Forward

To provide historical perspective and stimulate discussion on future directions, we will hear reflections from leading Healthy Cities advocates:

Sandra McCarthy OAM – Emeritus Mayor, Kiama Municipal Council and long-standing leader in Healthy Cities development across the region.
Professor Evelyne de Leeuw – internationally recognised Healthy Cities scholar and advocate.
Kelly Andrews - CEO of Healthy Cities Australia (formerly Healthy Cities Illawarra)
Dr Jinhee Kim - Scientia Senior Lecturer, UNSW Cities Institute

Together they will explore:

The evolution of the Healthy Cities movement in Australia and internationally
Key successes and lessons from past Australian initiatives
Emerging challenges for urban health, equity, climate resilience and wellbeing
Opportunities for rebuilding momentum and relevance for Healthy Cities in Australia

Discussion Themes

Participants will be invited to consider:

What models of country coordination would work best in the Australian context?
How can local governments, state and federal agencies, universities and community organisations work together?
How can WHO strengthen support for Healthy Cities development in Australia?
How can Australia contribute to the growth of the Healthy Cities movement and support WHO's objectives for expanding Healthy Cities membership across the region?

Who Should Attend?

This session is a FREE event open to the public and will be of interest to individuals and organisations interested in the Healthy Cities Framework and place-based wellbeing approaches

Students and Early Career Researchers
Local government elected representatives and staff
Public health/health promotion/community development professionals
Planners, urban designers and transport practitioners
Researchers and academics

This is a unique opportunity to connect with international colleagues and grow your network, learn from successful Healthy Cities networks across the Western Pacific, and help shape the future of Healthy Cities in Australia.

11th Global Conference of the Alliance for Healthy Cities (1-3 September 2026, UNSW Sydney) “Healthy Cities for All - Equity, Innovation and Action” www.healthycities2026.com

JOIN US after the networking for a guided tour of an inspiring First Nations Health Exhibition followed by the official Welcome Reception (ticketed)/

Contact the host of Pre-Conference Networking and Information Session - Free Public Event

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