Sustainable development in Wales and other regions in Europe – achieving health and equity for present and future generations (2017)

2017, xiv + 82 pages
ISBN 978 92 890 5280 1
This publication is only available online.

The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2015), complemented by the WHO European policy framework and strategy for the 21st century, Health 2020, represents a milestone for human and planetary development. This publication proposes ways of maximizing opportunities to implement these agendas at the national and regional levels across the WHO European Region. Through the Welsh example and case studies from the Czech Healthy Cities National Network and the regions of North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany), Kaunas (Lithuania), Pomurje (Slovenia), and Västra Götaland (Sweden), it aims to enhance understanding of the key role of regions in translating global priorities into effective policies and actions, providing practical examples, which can serve as blueprints for others.

The publication maps the sustainable-development journey in the United Kingdom (Wales) from the heart of its constitution to inclusion in Welsh legislation through the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. It describes the structure of the Act and experience gained in connection with its implementation, focusing on the health sector. It also identifies enablers, challenges and opportunities related to sustainable development in Wales. The activities described in the case studies are framed according to the Roadmap to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, building on Health 2020, the European policy for health and well-being, recently adopted by the WHO Regional Committee for Europe. The key messages drawn from the common experiences of the regions reinforce the need to invest in improving the determinants of health.