Belfast has received renewed designation as a World Health Organization European Healthy City for Phase VIII of the WHO Healthy Cities Programme.
The renewed designation confirms Belfast’s continued membership of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network and recognises the city’s ongoing commitment to improving health and wellbeing, reducing health inequalities and placing health at the heart of city policy, planning and partnership working.
Belfast has been part of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network for more than 35 years. During that time, the city has benefited from learning, collaboration and partnership with cities across Europe, while also sharing its own experience of working to create healthier, fairer and more sustainable places.
The WHO European Healthy Cities Network brings together cities committed to improving the health of citizens and reducing health inequalities, particularly among communities most affected by social, economic and environmental disadvantage.
The Network carries out its work in five-year phases. Phase VIII will run from 2026 to 2030 and is guided by seven priorities: People, Place, Planet, Prosperity, Participation, Peace and Prepare. These priorities support cities to respond to major urban health challenges, including health inequalities, climate change, demographic change, emergency preparedness and the wider conditions that shape people’s health and wellbeing.
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly, welcomed the news:
“Tá áthas orm gur ainmníodh Béal Feirste mar WHO Chathair Shláintiúil Eorpach. Aibhsíonn seo an tábhacht a leagtar ar shláinte is ar fholláine an tsaoil sa chathair.
“I am delighted that Belfast has once again been designated as a World Health Organization European Healthy City. This is an important recognition of the city’s continued commitment to working in partnership to improve health, wellbeing and quality of life for everyone.
“Belfast has a proud history within the Healthy Cities movement, and this renewed designation provides an opportunity to continue learning from other cities, sharing our own experience and working together to create a healthier, fairer and more sustainable city for all our citizens.”
European Healthy City
Charlene Brooks, Chief Executive Officer of Belfast Healthy Cities, said the renewed designation was both a recognition of Belfast’s long-standing contribution to the Network and an opportunity to strengthen action in the years ahead:
“Belfast has played an important role in the WHO European Healthy Cities Network for more than 35 years, and we are delighted that the city has received designation for Phase VIII, after we completed our application earlier this year.
“This designation is about much more than being part of an international network. It reflects a shared commitment to improving health equity, supporting sustainable urban development and ensuring that health is considered across the policies and decisions that shape our city.
“Through Phase VIII, we in Belfast Healthy Cities, the organisation that leads the work here in Belfast, look forward to working with partners across Belfast and across the wider European network to share learning, develop new approaches and support practical action that helps people and communities thrive.”
Belfast Healthy Cities will continue to work with partners across the city to support the priorities of the WHO Healthy Cities Programme, including healthy transport, community prosperity, greening the city and ending violence against women and girls.
The renewed designation also provides an important opportunity for Belfast to continue learning from other European cities, share local innovation and contribute to international conversations on urban health, wellbeing and sustainable development.
