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The World Active Forum will be constituted as a Federation at FIBO 2023 / photo: Reed Exhibitions Deutschland
The COVID-19 pandemic caught the sector off guard; its impact not only redefined our way of living, but also reinforced the urgency to strengthen worldwide coordination.
In this context, the World Active Forum was officially launched in June 2021, as a platform designed to bring all stakeholders around the table, as a way to stimulate dialogue, share best practice and respond to the World Health Organization’s call to set up one clear voice for promoting physical activity at the global level. This initiative, meant to unite the sector, is based on values such as inclusiveness, transparency and accountability. All continents are represented within the Forum, and the invitation to participate remains open to all organisations from across the globe.
Rising cost of ill-health The recently released status report of the Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018-2030 revealed the enormous potential burden of physical inactivity on the healthcare systems, with up to a half billion new non-communicable disease cases internationally with an annual cost of US$27bn in treatment. High-income countries are expected to be the most impacted if the situation stays the same.
The World Active Forum aims to enhance collaboration with governments and United Nations agencies, thus repositioning the fitness and physical activity sector as an integral component of the preventative health environment. The final purpose is to speak with a singular, strong voice to achieve this much-needed systemic change.
‘Four pillars’ To successfully achieve these aspirations, the current global platform will transform into a Federation, next April, during the FIBO trade show. Its structure will be based on four thematic pillars: Research and Social Impact, Gender-Equality and Inclusion, Public Affairs, and Skills and Workforce. Aiming to get “more people, more active, more often”, the World Active Federation will work towards a physically active, healthier world. This is our objective, and we can achieve this by all working together.
Barrie Elvish is
CEO of AUSactive and interim chair of the World Active Forum
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
