Global Call to Action: South Africa and WHO join forces to host the 16th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion (Safety 2026) in Cape Town

Cape Town, South Africa – The Foundation for Professional Development (FPD) has been selected as the host organiser for this historic conference organized co-sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and co-hosted by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC). Working with a broad coalition of international and national partners, this conference will be convened from 2–4 September 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). With the theme “#Ubuntu: United for a Safer Future,” the conference calls on governments, researchers, practitioners, and communities to unite in tackling the structural and social causes of violence, injury, and mental ill-health.

This will be the first time the conference returns to the African continent in nearly two decades. The timing is symbolic, marking the 30th anniversary the WHO resolution, that for the 1st time declared violence a public health priority (WHA 49.25), a resolution introduced by South Africa after rejoining the WHO as a democratic country.

“We can no longer afford to treat injuries and violence as random or inevitable,” said Prof Richard Matzopoulos, Co- Chair of the Local Organising Committee and Director of the SAMRC’s Burden of Disease Research Unit “They are structural in origin — driven by inequality, gender, alcohol, and urban exclusion. South Africa needs an integrated and coherent legislative framework that puts safety and public health at the centre of every sectoral agenda, from urban design to policing to education.”

Globally, more than 4.4 million people die annually from injuries, representing 8% of all deaths. The situation is even more dire in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

“LMICs carry 90% of the global injury burden and 83% of injury-related deaths,” noted Prof Shanaaz Mathews, Chair of the International Scientific Committee, and Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at UCT and Evaluation Lead on the What Works to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls Global Programme. “This burden is shaped by deep inequities and made worse by declining international aid. LMICs urgently need access to data, technologies, and policies that are contextually relevant, gender-sensitive, and led by the communities most affected.”

Safety 2026 aims to catalyse transformative change by showcasing evidence-based innovations, digital solutions, trauma-informed responses, community-led prevention, and cross-sector policy integration in support of injury prevention and safety promotion. Critically It will explore the commercial, social, and structural determinants of injury risk and the barriers that prevent evidence-based solutions from being implemented.

“South Africa’s has experienced the positive impact of concerted muti-disciplinary global action around major public health issues such as COVID-19 and HIV & TB and fully appreciate the catalytic role that international conferences can trigger. We believe the global situation is ripe for such a response to reduce violence and injury and build a safer world. South Africa has the experience to mobilise such a movement,” noted Dr Gloria Maimela, Deputy CEO of FPD. “This is more than just an international conference, it’s an act of national renewal of a pledge made 30 years ago at WHO and a commitment to create around this critical issue the sustained global inter-sectoral coalition that sustained the AIDS response for 30 years. This is an event that will create legacy institutions, including a Southern African Injury and Violence Prevention Hub and a bi-annual national summit to sustain momentum.”

Delegates will include global health leaders, frontline practitioners, donors, youth advocates, and people with lived experience of trauma and injury? A National Action Group will guide South Africa’s input and legacy planning, while a dynamic social media campaign (#Ubuntu4Safety) is mobilising the local, regional and international community in the lead-up to the event.

The conference is designed to be deeply participatory and inclusive, with five thematic tracks, and introduces several new elements to the conference including integration of climate change and health into the agenda, launching the Future Leaders Programme that showcases the work of young researchers and emerging academic leaders and the Community Nexus a space for delegates and the Cape Town community to interact.

“Safety 2026 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the global response on violence and injury prevention,” said Prof Mathews. “We are building not just a programme — but a movement rooted in equity, Ubuntu, and action.”

Media Contacts:
Email: media@foundation.co.za
Website: www.worldsafety.co.za
Follow: #Ubuntu4Safety | @Safety2026

Content related enquiries:

Host organization: FPD Dr Gustaaf Wolvaardt (CEO): gustaafw@foundation.co.za or Dr Gloria Maimela(Deputy CEO): gloriam@foundation.co.za

Co-host SAMRC: Prof Richard Matzopoulos richard.matzopoulos@mrc.ac.za

Chair of the International Scientific Committee - Prof Shanaaz Mathews shanaaz.mathews@uct.ac.za

About the Foundation for Professional Development (FPD)
As the host, FPD brings nearly three decades of experience in delivering high-impact public health conferences. Since organising the ground-breaking XIII International AIDS Conference in Durban in 2000 — a moment that reshaped global access to HIV treatment — FPD has earned a reputation for convening transformative events that influence policy, ignite innovation, and strengthen health systems. With a strong African footprint and deep community partnerships, FPD is uniquely positioned to ensure that Safety 2026 leaves a lasting legacy of inclusion, collaboration, and social impact. Website: www.foundation.co.za

About the World Health Organization (WHO)
The World Health Organization (WHO), as the originator and co-sponsor of the Safety Conference series, plays a central role in guiding the strategic direction and scientific credibility of Safety 2026. Through its global network of Collaborating Centres on Violence and Injury Prevention, WHO ensures the conference remains at the cutting edge of international best practice. Its custodianship lends global legitimacy to the event, while anchoring it in evidence, equity, and a shared commitment to ending preventable harm across all communities.

About the SAMRC
The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) as the co-host of Safety 2026 brings a deep commitment to advancing evidence-based strategies to prevent injury and violence. SAMRC will by convening national, regional and international research organisations will help shape the scientific programme and foster collaboration across disciplines to promote safer, healthier communities across Africa and globally. Website: www.samrc.ac.za