The Governor of Al-Ahsa launches the identity of healthy cities to enhance quality of life
His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Talal bin Badr, Governor of Al-Ahsa, inaugurated a pivotal phase in the province's sustainable development journey by launching the new visual identity for the "Healthy Cities" program. This took place during his chairmanship of the committee's main meeting at the governorate headquarters. The launch marks the beginning of a new era aimed at positioning Al-Ahsa among the world's leading cities that implement the highest standards of public health and urban environment.
Global context and Saudi leadership
The Healthy Cities Program is a global initiative launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) that aims to prioritize health in urban decision-making by fostering community engagement and collaboration across various sectors. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a distinguished track record in this field, leading the Eastern Mediterranean Region in the number of cities accredited as Healthy Cities. Al-Ahsa's participation and its efforts to develop its identity within this program further solidify this pioneering role, building upon the successful experiences of other Saudi cities that have achieved international recognition.
Al-Ahsa: Natural resources that qualify it for leadership
During the meeting, His Highness the Governor of Al-Ahsa emphasized that the program transcends the traditional concept of medical services, focusing instead on improving the urban and social environment. As the world's largest palm oasis and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Al-Ahsa Governorate possesses unique characteristics that qualify it to be a model of a healthy city. Its vast green spaces, distinctive geography, and advanced infrastructure provide fertile ground for implementing "humanizing cities" standards and promoting healthy lifestyles, such as walking and community sports, thus enhancing its ability to efficiently and effectively achieve international standards.
Institutional integration to achieve Vision 2030
Prince Saud bin Talal called for moving beyond individual efforts and embracing a comprehensive institutional framework, emphasizing the need for collaboration between the public, private, and non-profit sectors. He directly linked the outcomes of the Healthy Cities Program to the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, specifically the Quality of Life Program, which aims to improve the lifestyle of individuals and families and build a society where its members enjoy a balanced way of life. He explained that investing in human health and the surrounding environment is the primary driver of sustainable development, supported by the great attention the wise leadership gives to this vital sector.
A roadmap for the future
The meeting included a thorough review of performance indicators and progress rates for existing initiatives. His Highness directed that all obstacles be removed to ensure implementation according to the established timelines. The newly launched visual identity reflects a modern vision aimed at embedding the concept of "sustainable health" in community awareness, serving as a unifying framework for all health and environmental initiatives in the governorate. The meeting concluded with the development of an implementation roadmap focused on designing high-quality initiatives that address the actual needs of Al-Ahsa residents and contribute to creating a safe and healthy environment that positively impacts the well-being of every citizen and resident.
