On 1-3 September 2026, 30 mayors and more than 200 local governments from across the Asia-Pacific region and globally will gather at ºÚÁÏÍø´óʼÇ, positioning ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Cities Institute as the epicentre for urban health innovation and policy development.
The ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Cities Institute (Prof Hoon Han, Interim Director) has been selected to host the upcoming 11th Global Conference of the Alliance for Healthy Cities on 1-3 September 2026, bringing together over 30 mayors and more than 200 local governments from across the Asia-Pacific region and globally. This landmark event represents a significant opportunity for ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç to lead the policy and research agenda for creating healthier, more resilient and sustainable cities in our region.
Dr Jinhee Kim, Scientia Lecturer at ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Cities Institute, will lead the 2026 Global Conference, bringing over two decades of expertise in urban health policy and practice. Having been involved with the Alliance for Healthy Cities since its establishment in 2004, Dr Kim combines deep academic research leadership with practical policy guidance that has shaped the healthy cities movement across the Asia-Pacific region.
Last month, delegates from the Steering Committee of the Alliance for Healthy Cities and colleagues from the World Organization visited ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç to share their ongoing work and discuss plans for the 2026 Global Conference. This meeting featured exceptional cross-faculty representation from ºÚÁÏÍø´óʼÇ, reflecting ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Cities Institute’s commitment to addressing urban health challenges through collaborative and evidence-based solutions.Â
The meeting was attended by international delegates including Prof Keiko Nakamura from the AFHC Secretariat, Dr April Joy David from WHO/Philippines, Dr Kira Fortune from WHO Europe, Dr Fernando B. Garcia Jr. from University of the Philippines Manila, and representatives from Kuching Healthy Cities. And thanks to Estelle Grech from and ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç colleagues Prof Susan Thompson, Prof Rebecca Ivers, A/Prof Ben Harris-Roxas and Quinton Vea Vea.
This selection builds on ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Cities Institute's successful leadership at the 2024 Global Conference in Seoul where the Institute coordinated the Global Leaders Forum and ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç students launched the Young Leaders Network while winning the Students' Competition. The 2026 Sydney conference will accelerate this momentum, bringing together an even broader coalition of leaders to advance the healthy cities agenda across the Asia-Pacific region.
"This conference embodies everything ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Cities Institute stands for – bringing together diverse expertise to tackle complex urban challenges. The partnerships and innovations that emerge from this gathering will have lasting impact on how cities across the region approach health, sustainability, and community wellbeing."Â
- Prof Hoon Han, Director, ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Cities Institute
The 2026 conference will be a game-changer for urban health policy and practice in the Asia-Pacific. Stay tuned for more updates as we build toward this transformative event!
For conference inquiries, collaboration opportunities, or to explore involvement, please contact Dr Jinhee Kim.