10 February 2025
Your Excellency Dr Ahmad Abdulwahab Al-Awadhi,
Minister of Well being of Kuwait,
Women and Gents,
It’s a nice pleasure to affix you right here at the moment at Kuwait’s second convention on Wholesome Cities.
Our well being is impacted by the place and the way we stay, and most of us stay in cities. Greater than 60 per cent of the Arab inhabitants stay in city centres. So city well being issues.
A Wholesome Metropolis helps well being and a superb high quality of life by way of entry to well being care, sanitation and hygiene.
WHO’s world Wholesome Cities programme has been energetic for greater than 20 years and our regional Wholesome Cities community counts 121 cities in 15 international locations.
In Kuwait, 18 cities are part of this community and, impressively, seven Kuwaiti cities have already acquired WHO certification as Wholesome Cities. In 2024, Kuwait College was formally acknowledged by WHO as a Well being Selling College.
Kuwait is quick turning into a regional chief in selling city environments that assist well being, sustainability and group resilience.
Throughout our area, Wholesome Cities are driving innovation for public well being by way of initiatives that vary from creating safer streets to implementing environment friendly waste administration programs and bettering entry to well being care.
Wholesome Cities have a confirmed, measurable, optimistic impression on local weather change by decreasing air pollution, selling inexperienced areas and inspiring wholesome life. Additionally they contribute to stopping danger elements, together with tobacco consumption, bodily inactivity and substance use.
We must always all take delight on this progress.
Over the following two days, we’ll hear from main world and regional consultants about how they’re driving this modification and what it means for extraordinary individuals.
Collaborating cities are experiencing progress throughout 80 indicators of the Wholesome Cities Programme. These indicators reduce throughout domains resembling group participation, environmental well being, schooling, social improvement, and extra.
I’m thrilled to see so many representatives from throughout the GCC right here at the moment, sharing greatest follow and renewing your dedication to constructing vibrant, wholesome, equitable and sustainable cities for our individuals and future generations.
WHO stays dedicated to supporting you on this journey in the direction of higher city well being.
Thanks.
