Kuching has secured the hosting rights for the 15th World Congress and Exhibition on Design and Health (WCDH), scheduled to take place from September 29 to October 2, 2026.
Themed Shaping Future Health Society: Designing for Healthy Lifestyle Behaviour, Equity, and Sustainability, the congress will focus on enhancing quality of life through health-promoting design.
Scientists, policymakers, and thought leaders from around the world will exchange ideas on sustainable development, health policy, healthcare design, healthy housing, and ecological principles.
Key discussions will revolve around a model that embraces salutogenic science, emphasising the creation of health-promoting environments. This holistic approach encourages meaningful, active, and connected living by prioritising well-being over mere disease prevention.
The conference’s agenda aligns with Sarawak’s ambitions to advance health-focused events and foster sustainable growth under the World Health Organization’s Healthy City initiatives and Sarawak’s Post-Covid Development Strategy 2030.
Sim Kui Hian, deputy premier and minister for public health, housing and local government Sarawak said the congress will also enhance interdisciplinary collaboration across architecture, healthcare, psychology, and design to promote human-centred and sustainable health solutions.
Jointly organised by Universiti Malaysia Sarawak and the International Academy for Design and Health, the event is expected to attract over 1,000 delegates globally.
