Strengthening collaboration on obesity prevention at the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Global Congress in Xi’an
From 27 to 28 June, the Sixth BRI Global Health International Congress, along with the 2026 Global Health Forum of the University Alliance of the Silk Road and the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Obesity Prevention and Control Section of the Chinese Nutrition Society (OPCS-CNS), was successfully held in Xi’an, China.
Jointly hosted by our Member, OPCS-CNS, alongside Xi'an Jiaotong University, the Health Sub-Alliance of the University Alliance of the Silk Road, and other institutions, the congress brought together experts and stakeholders to advance collaboration on global health challenges, including obesity prevention and control.
Held under the theme ‘Digital Intelligence Empowerment, Shared Resources, and Collaborative Health Promotion,’ the congress welcomed 190 experts from 16 countries and four international organisations, alongside around 600 participants from universities, research and health care institutions, academic societies and related sectors. Across 25 thematic sub-forums, participants explored topics including smart healthcare, chronic disease prevention and control, childhood obesity, healthy ageing, and health equity.The opening ceremony and selected keynote speeches were livestreamed on major platforms, drawing in more than 1.6 million views.
Since the first BRI Global Health International Congress in 2017, the congress has grown and become a key platform for academic exchange and collaboration in global health among Belt and Road countries.
During the opening ceremony, Johanna Ralston, Chief Executive Officer of the World Obesity Federation, praised the work of the Obesity Prevention and Control Section of the Chinese Nutrition Society, recognising their strong involvement in World Obesity Day activities.
"China is facing its obesity challenge with committed action and dedicated efforts, and showing how effective prevention and management can improve overall health and even save lives. The World Obesity Federation is proud to support the work of our members," Johanna Ralston, World Obesity Federation CEO
Ralston also recognised China as an important strategic partner for World Obesity, with China recently announced as host of our flagship International Congress on Obesity (ICO) in 2028, and highlighted continued collaboration through the SCOPE training programme.
As part of continued efforts to build clinical capacity and support evidence-based obesity care, a further SCOPE School will be taking place in China from 6-7 August in collaboration with the China Obesity Federation.
REGISTER HERENew initiatives to strengthen obesity prevention in Asia
A major milestone of the Congress was the launch of the Blue Book on Obesity Prevention and Control in China. Developed using China-specific evidence, the Blue Book provides professional guidance on the current landscape of obesity in the country, key challenges and practical pathways for prevention and control across populations and throughout the life course.
The congress also saw the launch of the Ten Initiatives for Obesity Management in Asia, with experts from across the region coming together to promote collaboration, knowledge exchange, and joint research. The initiative aims to strengthen regional co-operation and support co-ordinated action to address obesity as a cross-cutting public health challenge.
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