The School of Public Health of the Université de Montréal (ESPUM), which has hosted the IUHPE International Secretariat since 2017, is joining forces with the IUHPE to develop the 24^th World Conference on the theme: Promoting policies for health, well-being and equity. The Conference is organized by the School of Public Health of the Université de Montréal in collaboration with the Québec National Institute of Public Health, the Montréal Regional Directorate of Public Health as part of the “Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal”, the Université de Montréal Hospital Centre, and the “Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine”.

Health is a priority for all countries. Policies structure and guide action in various sectors of society. They are a key element in improving the health and well-being of populations and in reducing health inequalities. The development and adoption of policies that promote health and well-being for all and reduce inequalities have been central to health promotion strategies. Embedding health into policy and holding decision-makers accountable for the impact of their decisions on the health of the population is one of the priority areas of action set out in the WHO Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion and has been reinforced in subsequent WHO declarations and statements. Health promotion is a political action.

The IUHPE is the only NGO with a global scope that brings together decision makers, practitioners and researchers in the field of health promotion. Its mission lies in moving forward effective health promotion and the development and implementation of healthy public policy. Its purpose is to provide leadership and advocacy in facilitating the development and implementation of health promotion knowledge and strategies. It recognizes the need to strengthen the development of health promotion systems and ensure effective governance to improve health promotion action around the world and across sectors.