Almaty Acclamation of Mayors: Cities at the Frontline of Health and Well-Being for All (2018)

The Almaty Acclamation of Mayors was adopted at the WHO European Healthy Cities Network Summit of Mayors in Almaty, Kazakhstan on 24 October 2018. The Summit was held as a preconference event to the Global Conference on Primary Health Care, which took place in Astana, Kazakhstan on 25–26 October 2018. The Almaty Acclamation of Mayors reaffirms the commitment of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network to the definition of health in the WHO Constitution and the values and principles of a primary health care approach as enshrined in the Declaration of Alma-Ata (1978). It recognizes that cities, urban places and local governments have an essential role in achieving health and well-being for all through universal health coverage.

Cities contribute to the pursuit of health and well-being for all and universal health coverage by creating environments that facilitate improved health and well-being, by supporting primary health care and local services, and by creating resilient communities that engage, empower and involve all people in decision-making that affects their health and well-being. Primary health care requires engagement with people and communities, and cities are uniquely placed at the local level to provide a close connection to people and accessible platforms with which to engage.

The Almaty Acclamation of Mayors recognizes that primary health care is the foundation of universal health coverage and attaining the Sustainable Development Goals, and that cities are at the forefront of achieving these. It calls on cities, urban places and local governments to support immediate action on the Declaration of Astana, in coordination with WHO and the WHO European Healthy Cities Network, engaging and working with leaders and all relevant sectors and levels of government, with other cities and within our cities, in order to achieve health and well-being for all, leaving no one behind.