WHO Recognizes Healthy, Innovative Cities Across Western Pacific Region

SINGAPORE, 1 OCTOBER 2026 —

Nine cities and one national forum from the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region were honoured on 28 September 2026 at the 11th Global Conference of the Alliance for Healthy Cities in Sydney, Australia, as recipients of the WHO Healthy Cities Recognition Awards.

Dr Huong Tran, Director of the Division of Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control at the Regional Office, underscored the importance of sharing experience across diverse urban contexts. “There is no single blueprint for a healthy city. What works in one context may need to be adapted to another.

But by sharing our experiences, including what worked, what was challenging, and what we learnt along the way, we can help one another move faster and further,” she said.

Baguio City, Philippines, was recognised for its pioneering Livability Index, which compiles village‑level data across all 128 barangays. The index, now embedded in city planning and budgeting, enables evidence‑based decision‑making and more equitable resource allocation, demonstrating how granular data can drive action to reduce health and social inequities.

Eunpyeong‑gu, a district of Seoul, South Korea, earned its award for an inclusive health‑equity programme that reaches vulnerable groups such as isolated older adults and LGBTQI+ communities. The initiative relies on peer‑led community networks, social cooperatives and inclusive service design to broaden access to care, promote social inclusion and foster community ownership of health programmes. Vice Mayor Honourable Ahn Hyoung Jun accepted the award on behalf of the district.

Madiun City, Indonesia, was highlighted for its SUPERMIE (Sustainable Public Environmental Management Initiative), a community‑based environmental governance model that tackles urban flooding, climate resilience and environmental sustainability. The programme has cut flood‑prone areas, reduced greenhouse‑gas emissions, and lowered incidences of diarrhoeal disease and dengue fever, while enhancing food security through neighbourhood food gardens. The model has already been replicated in 15 Indonesian cities and regencies.

Ms Yuni Dwi Purwani, Secretary General of the National Forum for Indonesian Healthy Cities/Regencies, received the award for Madiun.

Macao Special Administrative Region, China, was commended for a comprehensive, integrated approach to tobacco and alcohol control. The strategy combines legislation, monitoring systems, enforcement, public‑awareness campaigns and multisectoral partnerships, strengthening protection against major non‑communicable disease risk factors and offering a transferable model for other urban settings. Dr LO Iek Long, Director of the Health Bureau, accepted the award on behalf of Macao.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia, secured recognition for its Safe School Zone Project, which blends infrastructure upgrades, speed‑management measures, enforcement, education and stakeholder engagement to safeguard children and the wider community. The project has produced measurable reductions in traffic crashes and vehicle speeds, providing a scalable template for safer urban mobility across the country. H.E. Khoung Sreng, Governor of Phnom Penh Capital City, accepted the award.

Quezon City, Philippines, was lauded for a public‑food‑procurement policy that promotes healthier diets through government‑run institutions and feeding programmes. Backed by robust policy frameworks and monitoring systems, the initiative improves access to nutritious food for vulnerable groups and serves as a benchmark for other local governments. Ms Jirah Asa M. Sideco, Chief of the Nutrition Section of the Quezon City Health Department, accepted the award.

Samarinda City, Indonesia, received its award for a multisectoral approach to violence prevention and gender equality. Responding to local evidence on violence against women and children, the city has positioned violence prevention as a public‑health priority, uniting health services, schools, social‑welfare agencies, law‑enforcement, civil‑society organisations and community leaders.

The programme advances prevention, reporting, survivor‑centred support and legal protection, while inclusive policies, community engagement and sustainable financing create a locally owned, scalable model for safer, more equitable urban communities. Mrs Rinda Wahyuni, Chairperson of the Samarinda Healthy City Forum, accepted the award.

Singapore was recognised for its Healthy Precinct Framework, which translates national healthy‑ageing priorities into neighbourhood‑level action. The framework integrates preventive care, social support, service coordination and age‑friendly environments, actively involving older persons, caregivers and community organisations. Its rollout across multiple precincts demonstrates scalability and long‑term sustainability. Dr Tan Weng Mooi, Director of Integrated Health Promotion, accepted the award on behalf of Singapore.

The Regional Director’s Special Award was presented to the National Forum for Indonesian Healthy Cities/Regencies (FKKSI) in acknowledgment of its pivotal role in fostering collaboration, capacity‑building, knowledge exchange and advocacy across Indonesia. As a national platform that unites local governments, communities, academia and civil society, FKKSI has institutionalised healthy urban development and offered a model for multisectoral engagement throughout the Western Pacific Region.

The 2026 awards underscore how cities can drive transformative health action by confronting climate change, inequity, ageing, nutrition, mobility, social inclusion, violence prevention and the commercial determinants of health. The recognised programmes illustrate that local governments, communities and partners can jointly create healthier, safer and more resilient urban environments for all residents.

More than 150 submissions were received for the 2026 Healthy Cities Recognition Awards, reflecting growing interest among cities and local governments across the Western Pacific in sharing innovative approaches to health and well‑being. Since its inception in 2004, the awards have provided a platform for cities to showcase achievements in climate resilience, healthy ageing, health equity, gender equality, tobacco and alcohol control, urban mobility, nutrition and data‑driven governance.

The WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific reaffirmed its commitment to supporting cities in advancing health, equity and sustainable development through the Healthy Cities approach and the Alliance for Healthy Cities, as urban populations continue to expand across the region.