KUWAIT CITY, Feb 8: The Healthy Cities Office at the Ministry of Health in Kuwait has announced the second Kuwait Conference on Healthy Cities, under the slogan "Healthy Cities for Sustainable Development," which will take place on Monday. The event will be held under the patronage of Health Minister Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi, with Dr. Hanan Balkhi, the Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO), also in attendance.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Dr. Amal Al-Yahya, Head of the Healthy Cities Office, noted that the conference will coincide with the tenth anniversary of the office’s establishment and the launch of the Healthy Cities Initiative in Kuwait. This milestone provides a chance to reflect on the progress made, including the registration of 19 cities and the accreditation of 10, with one city having been accredited for the second time.

Dr. Al-Yahya explained that the conference, which will run through Wednesday, will celebrate several successful initiatives. These include the accreditation of Sabah Al-Salem University as a Health City and the accreditation of four health-promoting commercial complexes. The event will also feature the signing of five memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with key government sectors to further strengthen strategic partnerships. Additionally, more than 1,000 community members have been trained on the skills necessary to meet healthy city standards.

The conference will highlight various models of the Healthy Cities Initiative from GCC countries and the wider region. It will offer valuable insights from experts in community health, urban sustainability, and data collection, while also focusing on the development of health profiles for cities.

Dr. Al-Yahya added that the conference will bring together international and regional experts to engage in lectures, workshops, and an interactive exhibition. This will provide an opportunity for the exchange of ideas between healthy cities and showcase the services offered by various sectors, including government, private organizations, and civil society.