During the Seventy-Fifth World Health Assembly (WHA) from May 22 to 28, 2022, WHO Member States achieved a significant milestone by adopting resolution WHA75.7, focused on strengthening health emergency preparedness and response in cities and urban settings.
This landmark resolution, the first of its kind since the 1990s, underscores the crucial role of cities and urban areas in WHO’s efforts to address health emergencies effectively. The resolution highlights the unique vulnerabilities of urban settings, including population density, mobility dynamics, and community diversity, which make them particularly susceptible to health crises. Recognising this, WHO Member States have emphasised the need for enhanced action, resources, and cooperation to bolster preparedness and response capabilities in urban areas. Co-sponsored by 18 countries spanning all six WHO regions, including prominent nations like China, Japan, and the United States, the resolution signifies a global consensus on the importance of urban health resilience. It calls for improved funding, planning, and collaboration across regions and between cities to address the specific challenges faced by urban populations during health emergencies.
At its core, the resolution focuses on implementing the WHO Framework for Strengthening Health Emergency Preparedness in Cities and Urban Settings, launched earlier in the year by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros and Singapore’s Minister of Health, Mr. Ong. This framework builds upon the outcomes of the Technical Working Group on Advancing Health Emergency Preparedness in Cities and Urban Settings, reflecting WHO’s commitment to enhancing urban health resilience in the wake of COVID-19 and beyond. By prioritising urban health emergency preparedness and response, WHO and its Member States aim to ensure that cities and urban areas are better equipped to mitigate the impact of health crises and safeguard the well-being of their populations. The resolution marks a significant step forward in advancing global efforts to address urban health challenges and build resilient health systems for the future.
