WHO Praises Gwangju Dong-gu's Urban Health Capacity Assessment Policy

Gwangju Donggu recently received high praise from the World Health Organization for its urban health capacity evaluation policy at the Korea Healthy Cities Partnership Policy Leadership Academy held in Geneva, Switzerland. Photo by Gwangju Donggu

Gwangju Dong-gu recently announced on the 14th that its Urban Health Capacity Assessment Policy received high praise from the World Health Organization (WHO) at the Korea Healthy Cities Partnership (KHCP) Policy Leadership Academy held in Geneva, Switzerland.

Dong-gu utilized the Urban Health Capacity Assessment Tool developed by the WHO to self-assess the city's capacity to implement sustainable health policies for establishing a 'Healthy Food Policy' and derived policy implementation strategies tailored to the local context.

This case is one of the first in Korea to seek practical capacity and policy implementation strategies for a 'Healthy Food Policy.' It was presented at the academy and was recognized as a model for realizing a healthy city.

Dr. Li Ailan, Deputy Director-General of the WHO, stated, "The assessment process and implementation plan of Gwangju Dong-gu are at a level that can serve as a global model in the field of urban health," and added, "I hope that the international healthy cities cooperation framework will continue in the future."

Im Taek, Mayor of Dong-gu and Chairperson of the Korea Healthy Cities Partnership, said, "This presentation of an exemplary case was a meaningful opportunity to showcase the level and direction of Korea's healthy city policies to the world," and added, "We will further accelerate the promotion of health policies in member cities based on cooperation with the WHO."