A high-level regional forum on a life course approach to promoting physical activity took place from 24 to 25 February 2014 in Dubai. The forum was organized by the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean under the patronage of Her Royal Highness, the UN Messenger of Peace and Chairperson of Dubai Healthcare City Authority, Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein.

The objectives of the forum were to: raise awareness of the global commitments to promote physical activity; share global and regional successful experiences in promoting physical activity; establish a multisectoral network of experts and institutions on physical activity based on the United Nations Political Declaration on Noncommunicable Diseases and the Regional Framework for Action; develop an outline of a multisectoral plan of action/roadmap for promoting physical activity in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.