7th Ministerial Conference on Health and Environment in Budapest

From the 5^th to 7^th of July, 2023, the 7th Ministerial conference on Health and Environment took place in Budapest, Hungary. With a resolute focus on addressing the health dimensions of the triple environmental crisis encompassing climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution, the conference held the paramount objective of shaping the future environment and health priorities and commitments for the WHO European Region. The Dutch Cycling Embassy attended with the Dutch delegation and had the privilege of sharing the health benefits of cycling.

During the conference, a panel titled ‘The benefits of cycling for a healthy living environment and how to encourage cycling in various settings’ provided fruitful information to the attendees. The speakers included Robert Thaler from the Austrian Ministry, Pui-Yuen Chen on behalf of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, Annika Peveril representing the Dutch Cycling Embassy, and Jill Warren, the CEO of the European Cyclists’ Federation. Expertly moderated by Pui-Yuen Cheng from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, the panel delivered a thought-provoking discussion on how to incorporate the health sector and the importance of approaching cycling from a health perspective.

Participants of the conference were invited to sign up for a bike tour organised by the Dutch Cycling Embassy in collaboration with BKK and supported by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. Péter Dalos and Máté Sebök of BKK provided an informative tour giving local context and showing the biking developments that have occurred in the beautiful city of Budapest. Everyone exclaimed how great it was to get on a bike and experience the physical and mental health benefits that come with cycling.

It was a pleasure to play our small part in a hugely successful Conference in Budapest. We would like to thank the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, and the World Health Organization for their support and organization.