Eastern Mediterranean Region Healthy Cities Conference 2023 opens, with 15 countries participating
31 October 2023, Doha, Qatar – Her Excellency Dr Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health of Qatar, today inaugurated the 3-day Eastern Mediterranean Region Healthy Cities Conference 2023, organized by the Ministry of Public Health and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The opening ceremony was attended by Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, and senior officials and representatives of 15 countries of the Region.
“Healthy Cities: A Multisectoral Approach to Health and Well-being” is the main theme of the conference, at which 43 local and international experts will speak. About 1300 participants are expected to attend the conference in total, both in person and online, over the 3 days.
H.E. Dr Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health, said: “Qatar works to promote the health and well-being of the population and achieve sustainability, guided by the wise vision of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, and to achieve the Qatar National Vision 2030. The Healthy Cities programme serves the country’s efforts in this regard, and we are proud that Qatar is the first country where all municipalities received the title of Healthy City from the World Health Organization, in addition to Qatar Foundation’s Education City being recognized as a Healthy Education City and Qatar University as a Healthy University.”
The Minister went on to stress how the Healthy Cities approach aims to make health a priority for cities, by promoting health, equity, and sustainable development, adding: “Qatar has adopted this approach,