Due to be held on 15 March 2023 at St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, in London, the Summit will bring together mayors and other city leaders from the Partnership for Healthy Cities, a global network of more than 70 cities, to explore ways to deliver high-impact policies or programmes that can reduce NCDs and injuries in their communities.

“Noncommunicable diseases and injuries are leading causes of death around the world, but they are preventable, and the Partnership for Healthy Cities is tackling them with the kind of urgency we need more of,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and Bloomberg LP, former mayor of New York City, and WHO global ambassador for noncommunicable diseases and injuries.

“City leaders are the first line of defence in protecting public health, and our network’s first-ever summit is an opportunity for even more partners to join the fight, adopt effective interventions, and accelerate our lifesaving work together.”

NCDs – including heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases – and injuries are responsible for 80 per cent of all deaths globally. With most of the world’s population now living in urban settings, cities are well placed to introduce policies aimed at significantly reducing exposure to risk factors linked to NCDs. The Summit will highlight best practices that are helping to save lives and creating healthier, more vibrant cities.

“I’m thrilled that London has been chosen to host the first Partnership for Healthy Cities Summit,” said London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan. “Building a fairer, greener London for all is one of my top priorities as mayor, and tackling air pollution is a huge part of that.

“Toxic air makes us sick from the cradle to the grave, leading to asthma and stunted lung growth in the young and dementia in the elderly. This is why I decided to expand my world-leading ultra-low emission zone London-wide, to reduce congestion, protect the health of Londoners, and tackle the effects of climate change.

“Cities have the power to shape the health of their citizens and I look forward to learning from and sharing knowledge with other city leaders, and coming together to address the key health challenges of the future.”

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, remarked: “Human health can either flourish or perish in cities. Through the Partnership for Healthy Cities, WHO and partners are working with mayors to create programmes and policies that place health at the centre of urban design, such as safe streets that promote active mobility, local sources of fresh and healthy food, and smoke-free spaces.

“These are vital for building cities that foster good health and wellbeing by fighting noncommunicable diseases like heart and respiratory diseases, cancer and diabetes.”

Over the coming weeks, further details about speakers and the programme agenda will be shared. More details are available at https://cities4health.org or https://partnershipforhealthycities.bloomberg.org/