It is a growing global health concern, affecting people of all ages and placing increasing pressure on healthcare systems.
The Madrid Global Obesity Summit, held from 26 to 28 October 2026, brings together governments, health organisations, young people and individuals living with obesity to explore practical solutions.
Co-hosted by Spain’s Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO), in collaboration with UNICEF and the World Bank, the summit aims to accelerate worldwide efforts to tackle obesity by 2030.
Affordable nutritious food, healthier schools, safer walking spaces and accessible healthcare all matter.
As global leaders renew their promises, the real challenge remains turning ambitious declarations into healthier everyday lives for millions.
Obesity is no longer just a matter of appearance or personal lifestyle choices. It is a growing global health concern, affecting people of all ages and placing increasing pressure on healthcare systems. From unhealthy food environments to increasingly inactive lifestyles, the causes go far beyond individual habits. As the world grapples with this expanding challenge, the urgent question is whether governments can turn promises into meaningful action.
The Madrid Global Obesity Summit, held from 26 to 28 October 2026, brings together governments, health organisations, young people and individuals living with obesity to explore practical solutions.
Co-hosted by Spain’s Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO), in collaboration with UNICEF and the World Bank, the summit aims to accelerate worldwide efforts to tackle obesity by 2030.
Discussions focus on what countries have achieved, which strategies have worked and how governments can make prevention and treatment more accessible.
The summit concludes on 28 October with a global call for stronger political commitments and coordinated action over the next four years.
For Bangladesh, the message is particularly relevant. Preventing obesity requires more than advising people to eat less or exercise more. Affordable nutritious food, healthier schools, safer walking spaces and accessible healthcare all matter.
As global leaders renew their promises, the real challenge remains turning ambitious declarations into healthier everyday lives for millions.
