The WHO Summit of Mayors is scheduled to take place in Cork City on 5 and 6 October 2026
From 5-6 October, in the city of Cork, Ireland, the World Health Organization (WHO) Summit of Mayors on Climate & Health will bring together mayors, political leaders, public health & environmental experts, practitioners and communities from across Europe and beyond to ascertain a values approach to the growing health impacts of climate change at a local level.
Rooted in the WHO European Healthy Cities Network’s values of equity, participation, partnership and sustainability, the Summit will focus on translating policy ambitions into practical local action and will invite participants to contribute to the development of a Cork Compact on Climate & Health, which will be a shared commitment to strengthening city-led action on climate and health across Europe. The five technical pillars mentioned below will form the foundation of the Summit and of the compact. These are:
• Nature-Positive Cities
• Nourishing Communities for a Healthy Food Future
• Moving Cities for Healthier Lives
• Healthy Homes for Stronger Communities
• Prepared and Protected Communities for Generations to Come
Through dedicated sessions, the Summit will also provide political leaders and participants with a platform for dialogue, collaboration, visiting community-centred champion projects, and workshops focused on addressing the health impacts of climate change through local action.
Additionally, the event will also contribute to the wider European policy agenda through its association with Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, creating an opportunity to connect the experiences and leadership of European cities with broader policymaking at national and European levels. As cities globally increasingly find themselves at the forefront of climate and health challenges, the Summit will also highlight the unique role of local government in protecting and promoting health, reducing inequalities and building resilient, sustainable communities.
The Summit will also draw upon the recommendations of the WHO Pan-European Commission on Climate and Health (PECCH), led by former Icelandic Prime Minister H.E. Katrín Jakobsdóttir, helping to connect emerging European policy discussions with action at city and community level. By bringing together Healthy Cities from across the European Region, the event will showcase how city leadership can translate such global priorities and scientific evidence into practical, community-centred solutions that improve health and wellbeing.
The Summit takes place at a pivotal time for Europe, as rising temperatures, extreme weather events and declining environmental quality increasingly affect population health, particularly among vulnerable groups. The city of Cork provides an ideal setting for these conversations. As a member of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network for more than three decades and a recognised EU Climate-Neutral and Smart Mission City, Cork has demonstrated a strong commitment to community engagement, partnership working and sustainable urban development.
As Ireland's second-largest city, Cork has championed a whole-of-city approach to health, placing people, place and participation at the heart of urban development. Located on the country's south coast, the city’s experience illustrates how Healthy Cities principles can support local responses to complex challenges such as climate change, health inequalities and social resilience.
This is an invitation-only event. If you have any questions or would like to express your interest in attending, please contact Marta.Kolasa@hse.ie
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The WHO Summit of Mayors is scheduled to take place in Cork City on 5 and 6 October 2026.