In order to support Member States in the development of interventions to reduce physical inactivity, WHO Regional Office, in collaboration with the University of Western Australia and the WHO Collaborating Centre on Physical Activity, Nutrition and Obesity, is planning to conduct a rapid policy mapping on physical activity in the Member States of the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

The core objectives of the mapping exercise, through a rapid audit tool, are to:

• identify current policy and programmes that support and contribute to national actions aimed at increasing physical activity;
• identify gaps and opportunities for developing new policy and programmes to support increasing levels of physical activity;
• identify the stakeholders involved in promoting physical activity;
• facilitate the development of, or update existing, national action plans aimed at increasing physical activity;
• identify the needs of Member States to support the implementation of comprehensive national actions to increase physical activity.

A regional physical activity network is being established jointly with the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine of Kuwait University. This network is known as PARNEM.

Objectives

The objectives of the network are to:

• provide and foster a communication forum for the sharing of research and practice within and between Member States on the national promotion of physical activity across the life course
• build capacity and awareness across different sectors and stakeholders and support the development of supportive policy and urban environments for physical activity; this includes but is not limited to linking professionals from across urban planning, transport planning, sports and recreation, education and health sectors

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.

Proceedings

The forum consisted of panel and group sessions with renowned global and regional speakers, and experts in the area of physical activity promotion from various sectors.

Participants

The target audiences for the forum included decision-makers, policy advisors from various sectors, including health, education, sport, youth, planning, transport and information, as well as representatives from civil society concerned with physical activity and health.

Related links

Watch the video Move for health

Physical activity is simple

Programme