From 17 to 19 June 2026, the WHO European Healthy Cities Network will convene in Viana do Castelo for its Annual Business Meeting and Technical Conference – the first annual gathering of its new programmatic phase, Phase VIII. Marking the 40th anniversary of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion, the conference will feature keynote contributions from Kevin Fenton, Ronald Labonté, Seyi Akiwowo, Rita Sá Machado and Mara Mintzer.
Registration is now open and will close at 11:59 PM (CEST) on 24 May 2026. Participants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications well before the deadline.
Kevin Fenton, Regional Director for Public Health for NHS London, is recognized for his leadership in public health systems and health equity. Ronald Labonté, Professor Emeritus, School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Canada, is known for his work on health equity, particularly in relation to health promotion. Seyi Akiwowo works at the intersection of artificial intelligence systems, policy and institutional accountability. Rita Sá Machado, Portugal’s Director-General of Health, is a public health physician with experience in epidemiology, migration health and health policy leadership. Mara Mintzer, co-founder and Executive Director of Growing Up Boulder, is recognized for advancing youth participation and child-friendly city planning through community engagement and urban design.
Under the theme “Healthy Cities for Healthy Generations,” the 2026 conference will explore how cities can shape environments that enable people to thrive at every stage of life – from early childhood to older age. As the first annual meeting of Phase VIII, it will provide a critical platform for aligning priorities, sharing knowledge and accelerating implementation.
The Network continues to advance its work through structured, multiyear phases that provide a shared vision and coordinated action for cities across the WHO European Region. Phase VIII introduces a renewed focus on creating healthier, more equitable and sustainable urban environments, building on decades of progress while responding to emerging challenges.
At the core of Phase VIII are 7 guiding pillars – People, Place, Planet, Participation, Prosperity, Peace and Prepare. These 7Ps form an integrated framework to support cities in protecting health, promoting well-being and strengthening resilience across the life course, with a strong emphasis on equity and community participation.
Alongside the keynote speakers, the programme will feature a diverse range of experts and city leaders contributing to discussions, workshops and knowledge exchange. Registration is now open for all those committed to advancing healthier, more inclusive and sustainable cities across the European Region.