WHO Director General Dr Tedros launched the new WHO global action plan on physical activity 2018-2030, More active people for a healthier world, in Lisbon at Football City, home of the Portuguese National Football Association, at a gala event involving the Prime Minister of Portugal António Costa, Adalberto Campos Fernandes, Minister of Health, Fernando Araújo, Health Secretary of State, and Tiago Brandão Rodrigues, Minister of Education. The event was opened and hosted by Fernando Gomes, President of the Portuguese Football Federation and attended by over 250 guests including 60 Mayors from across Portugal, international agencies such as NCD Alliance (NCDA), European Cycle Federation (ECF), International Pedestrian Association (IPA), Western Pacific Alliance for Healthy Cities, International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA), International Gymnastic Federation Sport for All, Swedish Association of Physiotherapists amongst others. The day included a Lunch in honor of the DGs visit to Portugal and a celebration of awards to City Mayors followed by a Workshop ‘Think Global Act Local – promoting physical activity through walking and cycling in cities and municipalities’ with over 200 registered delegates.
The Launch Ceremony included an opening of dance and the recommendation from an 85 year old participant to stay active for a long and healthy life and closing with a active show by young children showing a variety of skills and enjoyment of games and physical activity.
WHO DG Dr Tedros introduced More active people for a healthier world and outlined the main structure and ambition to reduce physical inactivity by 15% by 2030. He called for us to work together to ‘get the world moving’ citing the multiple benefits including better physical health as well as mental health and well-being. He urged the global community to promote sport as a way to bring communities and even nations together but that we need make sure that people do not just watch sport, but get off their couches and participate. Given the important links between policy actions on physical activity and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, Dr Tedros highlighted the recommendations that countries, cities and communities should design programs and urban environments to promote safe walking and cycling and create walking policies that give priority to pedestrians, not cars as well as improving access to parks and other recreation spaces for all.
More Active People for Healthier World highlights there are many policy actions that can promote and support people of all ages and ability to participate in walking, cycling, sport, active play, dance and recreation. A whole of community – whole of systems – approach is outlined with an invitation for all relevant sectors to work in partnership to implement the recommendations.
To support countries and build momentum for this global agenda WHO also launched their new campaign Let’s Be Active – a call for all stakeholders from research to city redevelopment to engage in implementation of the 20 policy recommendations.
Developed over 12 months and involving over 100 stakeholders and Member states, the new Global Action Plan policy was fully endorsed by the World Health Assembly in May 2018.
Now the focus turns to ensuring wide dissemination and implementation by countries, cities and communities in all regions.
Keep in touch with activities and events at this website
If you would like to notify WHO of activities promoting and implementing More Active People for Healthier World please contact us via new program email account: letsbeactive@who.int