Cork City Council is this week welcoming mayors, political leaders, environmental specialists, practitioners and community voices from across Europe and beyond to the World Health Organisation's (WHO) Summit of Mayors on Climate and Health at Cork City Hall.

Organised by Cork City Council in partnership with the WHO European Healthy Cities Network, the gathering will explore how cities can respond to escalating climate impacts while building healthier, more resilient and more equitable communities. The Summit is also an official fixture of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union and will draw on the recommendations of the WHO Pan‑European Commission on Climate and Health (PECCH), chaired by former Icelandic Prime Minister, H.E. Katrín Jakobsdóttir.

Across plenary sessions, workshops, site visits and high‑level political discussions, city leaders will examine how to translate policy guidance and scientific evidence into practical, community‑centred action. Proceedings will inform the development and adoption of the Cork Call to Action on Climate and Health, a shared commitment by European cities to strengthen local leadership on climate and health.

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The Summit takes place as European cities confront growing health risks linked to changing temperatures, extreme weather, air pollution and other environmental pressures. The WHO identifies climate change as a major public‑health challenge whose impacts fall disproportionately on vulnerable populations.

Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Damian Boylan, said he is delighted on behalf of Cork City Council and the people of Cork to welcome delegates from across Ireland and Europe to the Summit.

"The impacts of climate change are no longer distant or theoretical. They are already affecting the health and wellbeing of our communities, making this a timely and important gathering for political leaders," the Lord Mayor said.

"Cities are on the frontline of both climate action and public health, and this summit provides a valuable opportunity to strengthen leadership, share experiences, build partnerships and develop practical solutions that will help create healthier, more sustainable and more resilient communities.

"We are honoured that Cork has been chosen to host this important event and look forward to working with our European colleagues on a meaningful Call to Action for Climate and Health."

The Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD said: "With severe weather events happening more frequently, climate change poses a serious challenge in how we safeguard public health and wellbeing. Following a period of unprecedented climate extremes, today’s Cork Summit of city mayors and public health experts from across Europe is timely. Convened as part of Ireland’s Presidency of the EU, the Summit will consider how, through good city management, planning and design, emissions can be reduced, health outcomes for citizens improved and measures taken to protect our people against increasingly dangerous climate impacts."