Utrecht, 17 October 2026 – Utrecht has been chosen as the host city for the 23rd edition of the International Conference on Urban Health (ICUH) in 2027. This marks the first time that the leading international conference on urban health will be held in the Netherlands. The official announcement was made yesterday evening during the closing day of ICUH 2026 in Mexico City.
Every year, the conference brings together researchers, policymakers, healthcare professionals, city officials and civil society organisations from around the world to develop solutions to health challenges in urban areas. The award to Utrecht is the result of a successful joint bid by the City of Utrecht, Utrecht & Partners, Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs, knowledge institutions and other partners in Utrecht.
International recognition for Utrecht as the ‘Heart of Health’
The conference will take place in October 2027 at the Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs. With the hosting of ICUH 2027, Utrecht will gain international recognition as a leading centre for health, science and innovation. The region has long been one of Europe’s leading health regions and, under the banner ‘Utrecht, Heart of Health’, brings together knowledge, innovation and collaboration to contribute to healthy people, a healthy living environment and a healthy society.
According to the organiser of the ICUH, the International Society for Urban Health (ISUH), Utrecht stood out thanks to a strong joint bid, broad commitment from regional partners and a clear vision for the future of urban health. Giselle Sebag, Executive Director of the International Society for Urban Health (ISUH): “It is fantastic to be organising the ICUH in Utrecht for the first time. The way in which Utrecht places health and wellbeing at the heart of urban development aligns seamlessly with our organisation’s mission. We look forward to bringing together knowledge and experiences from cities around the world and translating these into concrete solutions for healthier and more inclusive urban environments.”
A joint effort by Utrecht-based partners
Utrecht City Council, Utrecht & Partners, the Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs, research institutions and other Utrecht-based partners have been working over recent years to secure ICUH 2027. Mayor Sharon Dijksma: “The fact that Utrecht has been chosen as the host city for ICUH 2027 is a wonderful recognition of the knowledge, innovative strength and collaboration that characterise our city. Health is central to the way we are shaping Utrecht’s future. The fact that researchers, policymakers and professionals from all over the world will soon be meeting here to work together on creating healthier cities fits in perfectly with this.”
Jeroen van Hooff, CEO of Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs: “In our experience, large-scale international gatherings of this kind are crucial for social progress. After all, that begins with bringing people, knowledge and ideas together. The fact that we have brought this conference to the Netherlands together with our partners and are able to welcome it to our venue is something to be proud of.”
International platform for urban health
ICUH provides a global platform for the exchange of knowledge on topics such as health inequalities, healthy living environments, climate change, mental health and social justice. As such, the conference is closely aligned with Utrecht’s social and scientific ambitions. The announcement follows ICUH 2026 in Mexico City, which centred on the theme ‘Healthy Cities by Design: Climate, Care, and Community from Latin America to the World’. The conference in Utrecht builds on this international exchange of knowledge and encourages new collaborations between cities, researchers, policymakers and professionals from a wide range of disciplines. During ICUH 2027, participants will be introduced to Utrecht’s approach to urban health, the Utrecht Science Park, the strong Life Sciences & Health sector and the many innovations that contribute to healthy and liveable cities. Cor Jansen, Managing Director of Utrecht & Partners: “ICUH 2027 brings international knowledge, networks and collaboration to Utrecht. It offers our region the opportunity to showcase how we are working tirelessly towards healthy and liveable cities, and to share knowledge and learn from leading experts from around the world.”
International platform for urban health
ICUH provides a global platform for the exchange of knowledge on topics such as health inequalities, healthy living environments, climate change, mental health and social justice. As such, the conference is closely aligned with Utrecht’s social and scientific ambitions. The announcement follows ICUH 2026 in Mexico City, which centred on the theme ‘Healthy Cities by Design: Climate, Care, and Community from Latin America to the World’. The conference in Utrecht builds on this international exchange of knowledge and encourages new collaborations between cities, researchers, policymakers and professionals from a wide range of disciplines. During ICUH 2027, participants will be introduced to Utrecht’s approach to urban health, the Utrecht Science Park, the strong Life Sciences & Health sector and the many innovations that contribute to healthy and liveable cities. Cor Jansen, Managing Director of Utrecht & Partners: “ICUH 2027 brings international knowledge, networks and collaboration to Utrecht. It offers our region the opportunity to showcase how we are working tirelessly towards healthy and liveable cities, and to share knowledge and learn from leading experts from around the world.”
First edition in the Netherlands
The ICUH has never before been held in the Netherlands. The choice of Utrecht underlines the city’s international reputation in the fields of health, science and innovation. At the same time,the conference strengthens the Netherlands’ position as a destination for leading international knowledge and professional conferences. The ICUH is expected to attract visitors from dozens of countries to Utrecht. In doing so, the conference will not only contribute to the exchange of knowledge, but also to the international visibility of the region and the development of the Dutch knowledge economy.
About ICUH
The International Conference on Urban Health (ICUH) is the annual conference of the International Society for Urban Health (ISUH). The conference brings together researchers, policymakers, healthcare professionals, city officials, civil society organisations and other stakeholders from around the world to develop solutions to health issues in urban areas. The 23rd edition will take place in Utrecht in 2027.
