From Cape Town to Québec City: The Handover to Safety 2028 is Officially Underway

MONTRÉAL, Sept. 04, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, during the 16th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion (Safety 2026), Québec officially takes over as host of the next edition of this global conference, which will be held in Québec City from September 18 to 20, 2028.

Québec’s bid was selected following a rigorous international selection process. The conference will be led by the Association pour la santé publique du Québec (ASPQ) and co-sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO). It will benefit from support from Québec City, Québec cité Business Destination, the Québec City Convention Centre and the Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA).

“Today’s handover from Safety 2026 marks the true beginning of this major collective undertaking. We want Safety 2028 to be an ambitious and inclusive international scientific gathering, firmly grounded in the contemporary realities of prevention. Québec has remarkable expertise to contribute. Our goal is to create a space where diverse forms of knowledge can come together and lead to concrete action,” said Thomas Bastien, Executive Director of the ASPQ.

A global conference returning to North America after more than 20 years

Every two years, Safety brings together the international injury prevention and safety promotion community, including researchers, government officials, international organizations, public health professionals, cities, community organizations and experts from a wide range of sectors.

In Québec, injury prevention remains an important public health issue. Between 2000 and 2019, the annual number of deaths attributable to unintentional injuries nearly doubled, rising from 1,903 to 3,489, driven in part by falls and poisonings. These figures underscore the importance of sustained prevention efforts to reduce risks before injuries occur.

By hosting Safety 2028, Québec City will become, for several days, a global hub for exchanging ideas on the policies, innovations and best practices needed to build safer societies.

The conference’s return to North America carries particular symbolic significance. Forty years after the adoption of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion, Canada will once again host a major international event dedicated to prevention and public health.

An exceptional opportunity for Québec and Canada

For the ASPQ, Safety 2028 represents much more than organizing a conference. It is a unique opportunity to strengthen international collaboration, showcase Québec and Canadian expertise, and accelerate knowledge exchange to advance prevention around the world.

Safety 2028 will also take place as Québec advances its priorities in public safety and implements its 2025–2035 National Health Prevention Strategy.

The conference will therefore provide a unique opportunity to examine, share and discuss the conditions needed to translate scientific knowledge and public policy into concrete action within communities.

Over the coming months, the ASPQ will continue establishing the various organizing committees, developing the scientific program and mobilizing partners from government, academia, municipalities, community organizations and the international community to build an edition that reflects the ambitions of the global prevention community.

About the Association pour la santé publique du Québec (ASPQ)

The ASPQ brings together citizens and partners to make sustainable health, through prevention, a priority. The ASPQ supports social and economic development by promoting a sustainable approach to health and well-being. Sustainable health is based on a long-term vision that, while ensuring access to care for all, also strives to keep people healthy through prevention. www.aspq.org.

Contact

Véra Ferret
Director of Communications and Public Relations
Association pour la santé publique du Québec
Mobile: 450-626-8879
Email: vferret@aspq.org

Quotes

“I am delighted that Québec City will have the honour of hosting the next World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, whose themes closely align with our public health priorities. This event represents a unique opportunity to bring together those working to create healthy and safe living environments, while showcasing Québec’s expertise. More than ever, international collaboration is essential to building more equitable, inclusive and safe communities for current and future generations. I would also like to thank the Association pour la santé publique du Québec, whose sustained efforts have made it possible to bring this event close to home.”- Dre Caroline Quach-Thanh, National Director of Public Health and Assistant Deputy Minister.

“The series of World Conferences on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion is a major platform to advance injury and violence prevention. With more than 4 million injury related deaths each year and hundreds of many millions more people needing hospitalization and sometimes acquiring a disability, it is important to share knowledge about prevention and response at international level. The World Health Organization looks forward to work with the Quebec Public Health Association and partners on delivering a vibrant Conference in 2028, learning from best practices from Canada and around the world.” - Etienne Krug, Director, Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention Department (DPP) and Chair of the International Organizing Committee for the series of World Conferences on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion.

“The World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion is returning to North America for the first time in more than 20 years, and Québec City has been chosen to host it. This is a tremendous source of pride for our city, which benefits from a dynamic ecosystem and recognized expertise in public health. Welcoming experts from around the world will be an unparalleled opportunity to showcase this expertise, learn from best practices and work together to make our communities even healthier and safer.” – Bruno Marchand, Mayor of Québec City.

“The Capitale-Nationale Public Health Department is delighted that this major international gathering will take place in Québec City. Preventing violence and injuries has tangible impacts on the lives of our fellow citizens, whether through the prevention of abuse, cyberbullying, sexual violence, suicide and falls among older adults, or through the promotion of psychological health and safety at work and road safety. This conference is a unique opportunity to share best practices for building safer communities.” - Philippe Robert, Director of Public Health for the Capitale-Nationale region.