Third Public Statement by World Active

World Active, formerly the World Active Forum, is a worldwide platform, and future federation, that unites the health, fitness and physical activity sector globally. Initially launched in June 2022, the World Active brings together stakeholders from all continents to debate the industry’s common opportunities and challenges, speak with a unified voice, and promote health and well-being worldwide through collaboration and innovation. World Active is expected to serve as a transparent and inclusive representative body to exchange best practices, enhance collaboration with international institutions, such as the World Health Organisation, and discuss the latest dynamics and trends in and around the sector. World Active will enable information and knowledge sharing among all its stakeholders.

Among several key achievements since World Active’s Second Public Statement in the autumn, World Active’s new logo has been adopted, which better illustrates the unity and inclusivity of the sector. The Charter and Manifesto of World Active, which outlines its core values, principles, decision-making procedures and objectives, have been prepared for formal adoption at the first General Assembly of World Active on 13th April in Cologne. These two founding documents are meant to serve as the formal framework for World Active as the global representative body grows into a formalised industry federation. The Charter is a founding document that defines the scope, structure and governance of World Active, and the Manifesto sets out key strategic priorities, objectives and actions of World Active towards 2030.

After almost a year of preparatory work, the joint efforts of several working groups will culminate at the World Active Summit 13th - 14th April in Cologne. The first physical World Active gathering of representatives from over 40 worldwide trade associations and professional registers will take place during FIBO Global Fitness in Cologne, the leading industry gathering for the fitness and physical activity sector worldwide. The World Active Summit will be a unique opportunity for key stakeholders from the sector all over the world to exchange best practices, network and learn from each other. The Chairs of World Active's Working Groups will also present their work since the summer of 2022, as well as the short and long-term plans for their respective focus areas.

The first World Active Summit, 13th - 14th April in Cologne, will begin with its first General Assembly, where World Active’s members will elect its leadership for the coming year. Fiona Bull, heading the Physical Activity Unit of the World Health Organisation, will open the session by sharing her insights on the global status of physical activity and health. The event will end with a press conference.

The second day of the World Active Summit will have key industry leaders and pioneers, e.g. Nerio Alessandri, Technogym’s President and Founder, Steven Ward, GO fit's Chief Transformation Officer and former CEO of ukactive, and Philip Mills, Founder & Executive Director of Les Mills, present their ideas and vision for the future of World Active and the industry. This will be a unique opportunity to meet and interact with brilliant minds and influential actors in the sector, such as Emma Barry, Prof. Paolo Caserotti, Liz Terry, Peter Croft, Grace McNamara, Bryan O’Rourke and Jennifer Halsall-de Wit. The keynote speakers will be followed by thematic sessions, showcasing industry best-practice and innovation from around the world. The World Active Summit will be a unique opportunity for the fitness and physical activity sector to come together, exchange ideas, and shape the industry’s future.

As part of its open-door policy, World Active invites all stakeholders who share its mission and vision to join its unifying global movement for the fitness and physical activity industry. By collaborating across the sector worldwide, the fitness and physical activity sector can overcome its challenges, effectively pursue its opportunities and unfold its full potential as societal health and wellbeing. Based on its motto ‘more people, more active, more often,’ World Active's members, through their new global representative body, are firmly committed to working for a physically active, healthier world.

For more information, please visit www.world-active.com or contact thesecretariat@world-active.com