Utrecht brings a leading international conference on Urban Health to the Netherlands

In 2027, Utrecht will host the International Conference on Urban Health, which will be held in the Netherlands for the first time. 

Utrecht has been selected as the host city for the 23rd edition of the International Conference on Urban Health (ICUH) in 2027. This marks the first time this leading international conference on urban health will be held in the Netherlands. The official announcement was made last night 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 organizations from around the world to develop solutions to health challenges in urban areas. Utrecht was selected to host the conference as a result of a successful joint bid by the Municipality of Utrecht, Utrecht & Partners, Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs, research institutions, and other partners in Utrecht. 

International recognition for Utrecht as Heart of Health

The conference will take place in October 2027 at the Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs. With the arrival of ICUH 2027, Utrecht will gain international recognition as a leading center for health, science, and innovation. For many years, the region has been among Europe’s leading health regions and. 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 organizer 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), said: “We are delighted to bring ICUH to Utrecht for the first time. Utrecht’s commitment to putting health and wellbeing at the heart of urban development makes it an ideal setting for our global community to exchange ideas and build partnerships. We look forward to learning from Utrecht and from cities around the world, and to translating that knowledge into action for healthier, more equitable urban futures.”

Joint effort by Utrecht’s Partners

The City of Utrecht, Utrecht & Partners, Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs, research institutions, and other Utrecht partners have been working together to secure the hosting rights for ICUH 2027.

Mayor Sharon Dijksma: “That Utrecht has been chosen as the host city for ICUH 2027 is a wonderful recognition of the knowledge, innovative strength, and collaboration that characterize our city. Health is central to how we are shaping Utrecht’s future. The fact that researchers, policymakers, and professionals from around the world will soon meet here to collaborate on creating healthier cities fits perfectly with that vision.”

International platform for Urban Health

ICUH provides a global platform for the exchange of knowledge on topics such as health disparities, healthy living environments, climate change, mental health, and social justice. As such, the conference aligns closely with Utrecht’s social and scientific aspirations. The announcement follows ICUH 2026 in Mexico City, which centered 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 fosters new collaborations between cities, researchers, policymakers, and professionals from diverse 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 livable 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 relentlessly working toward healthy and livable cities, as well as to share knowledge and learn from leading experts from around the world.”

First edition in the Netherlands

The ICUH has never been held in the Netherlands before. 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 not only contributes to the exchange of knowledge but also to the region’s international visibility and the development of the Dutch knowledge economy.

Jeroen van Hooff, CEO of Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs: “In our experience, large-scale international gatherings like this are crucial for social progress. After all, progress begins with bringing people, knowledge, and ideas together. We are proud to have worked alongside our partners to bring this conference to the Netherlands and look forward to welcoming participants to our venue.” 

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 organizations, 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.