Public health promotion takes centre stage at World Congress in Melbourne

September 30, 2025

The World Conference on Health Promotion will be hosted in Melbourne in 2028, bringing experts and leaders in public health from around the world to our city to discuss the many facets that determine good health and wellbeing.

Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) worked closely with the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth), the Australian Health Promotion Association, The Behaviour Change Collaborative and Smart Connection Consultancy, and with support from Tourism Australia, to secure the prestigious conference, which is held every three years by the International Union for Health Promotion and Education. The conference, held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, is expected to attract 1,500 delegates and have an economic impact of over $8.4 million.

Established by the International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE), the first World Conference on Health Promotion in 2007 celebrated the “coming of age” of health promotion since the influential 1986 Ottawa Charter. The Conference today continues to provide an important platform for health promotion practitioners, researchers and policymakers to share knowledge and address health inequities, the growing burden of chronic disease and drawing the connection between individuals’ health and their environment, particularly for First Nations.

Melbourne is the ideal location for these important conversations as a global hub for health promotion. VicHealth is the world’s first health promotion foundation and the first health promotion body in the world to be funded by a tax on tobacco, underlining Victoria’s commitment to public health. Also unique to Victoria, the Treaty Negotiation Framework and Self-Determination Fund are paving the way for Treaty negotiations and provide a space for the practice of Aboriginal Lore, Law and Cultural Authority.

The state is also a national leader in guiding public health success through improving road safety, preventing skin cancer, women’s sexual and reproductive health, targeted gender inequity in sport, mental health support and establishing the Anti-Racism Taskforce, backed by key government policy including Victoria’s Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2023–27 and Health 2040. More broadly across Australia, the Medicare health insurance scheme is internationally renowned and ranked as the top performing health system in the world by the Commonwealth Fund in 2024 ahead of the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Switzerland and United States of America.

The World Conference on Health Promotion 2028 further highlights Melbourne’s reputation as a world-class destination for business events that support the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals. The city will also host the Diabetes Federation Western Pacific Region Congress, attracting 2,500 delegates, in August 2026.

Quote attributable to Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos

“This global gathering will drive economic growth, keeping our hotels, restaurants and local businesses busy, while showcasing Victoria as a destination for world-class research, collaboration, and investment.”

Quotes attributable to Melbourne Convention Bureau Chief Executive Julia Swanson

“Melbourne continues to demonstrate our incredible credentials in hosting business events in the health sector; we are thrilled to once again be welcoming experts and leaders from around the world to advance these important conversations.”

Quotes attributable to International Union for Health Promotion and Education President Louise Potvin

“We are pleased with Melbourne's excellent bid for hosting the 26th IUHPE World Conference in 2028. We are really excited about this opportunity to work with a large coalition of local partners with which IUHPE is already working or eager to develop further collaborations.”

“We are looking forward to start laying the foundation of this common and critical endeavour for the future of health promotion.”

Quote attributable to President Australian Health Promotion Association Glen Ramos

“This global event is a landmark opportunity to advance evidence-based prevention, strengthen health equity, and showcase Australia’s leadership in health promotion and prevention. We look forward to working with our partners to shape a program that reflects the diversity, innovation, and impact of health promotion across our region and beyond.”

Quote attributable to VicHealth CEO Professor Anna Peeters AM

“VicHealth is the world’s first Health Promotion Foundation so it’s fitting we host a global conference , The World Conference on Health Promotion will bring together thousands of leaders, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to share ideas which will help shape the future of health promotion, improving the health and wellbeing of all Victorians.

To have Melbourne chosen is both a recognition of our sector’s strength and a huge opportunity for VicHealth and our partners to showcase Victoria’s innovation and impact on the world stage.”

Quotes attributable to The Behaviour Change Collaborative Founder and Managing Director Luke van der Beeke

"The Behaviour Change Collaborative is pleased to have contributed to the successful Melbourne bid. We look forward to working in partnership with our health promotion colleagues to bring IUHPE 2028 to fruition."

Quote attributable to Martin Sheppard, Managing Director of Smart Connection Consultancy and Founder of the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention (NSC)

“We are incredibly proud to help bring the World Conference on Health Promotion to Melbourne in 2028, working alongside such respected local and international partners. For more than a decade, the NSC has championed the role of sport and recreation in improving community health and wellbeing, and this conference builds on that legacy. Having delivered many successful national and global events, we’re excited to showcase Melbourne’s leadership and to contribute to conversations that will shape healthier, more active communities for generations to come.”

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Media enquiries:

Emma Hall, Melbourne Convention Bureau

T +61 429 553 183 E [email protected]