Wellington has been chosen to host the 21st International Conference on Urban Health (ICUH) in 2025, marking the first time the flagship event of the International Society for Urban Health (ISUH) will take place in Oceania.
Scheduled for November at the newly built Tākina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre, the conference will focus on transforming urban environments to improve health, equity, and environmental sustainability.
The successful bid was led by the New Zealand Centre for Sustainable Cities in collaboration with Business Events Wellington and Tourism New Zealand Business Events.
The ICUH conference brings together researchers, policymakers, philanthropists, and non-profits to share insights and foster collaboration on pressing urban health challenges.
Giselle Sebag, Executive Director of ISUH, highlighted the significance of bringing the conference to the region: “Hosting ICUH 2025 in Wellington is not just about expanding to a new region—it’s about connecting our international community with a city that exemplifies leadership in urban health innovation.”
Aside from its intellectual contributions, the conference is expected to generate an economic benefit of $1 million for Wellington, while aligning with the city’s Economic Wellbeing Strategy.
Penelope Ryan, Tourism New Zealand’s Global Manager Business Events, noted: “Conferences like these provide a double benefit for New Zealand, driving economic impact during off-peak seasons and enriching our communities with international knowledge and expertise.”