SDG 3 ensure healthy lives and promote well-being

Policy actions across multiple settings that lead to an increase in population levels of physical activity will contribute to reducing NCDs (Target 3.4), providing infrastructure that supports physical activity through equitable access to safe walking, cycling and use of public transport, by all ages, and can contribute to reducing road traffic accidents particularly those involving pedestrians and cyclists (Target 3.6), and reduced automobile use can contribute to improved air quality (Target 3.9).

SDG 4 Quality education

Policy actions that ensure, and monitor, equitable provision of preschool and school-based physical education curricula, physical activity programmes and environments that are inclusive and enable all girls and boys to develop the physical literacy, fundamental movement skills, knowledge, attitudes, habits and the enjoyment of physical activity can contribute to enhancing readiness for primary education (Target 4.2) and improved educational outcomes (Target 4.1).

SDG 5 Gender equity

Policy actions that promote physical activity through improved access to safe and affordable opportunities to participate in sport and physical activity by girls and women across the life course, particularly those in marginalised and disadvantaged communities, can contribute to ending discrimination (Target 5.1) in sports and physical activity.

SDG 10 Reduce inequalities

Policy actions that maximise the potential of sports and physical activity programmes, including major sporting events, to promote inclusion and empowerment regardless of individual traits can contribute to empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all (Target 10.2) and promoting equal opportunity (Target 10.3).

SDG 11 Inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities

Development, implementation and monitoring of urban and transport planning policies that require city and regional designs to provide equitable access to safe, affordable infrastructure for walking and bicycling, as well as public open spaces and recreational facilities can contribute to achieving sustainable transport systems for all (Target 11.2), enhancing inclusive and sustainable urbanisation (Target 11.3), reducing the environmental impact of cities (Target 11.6) and achieving universal access to green and public spaces (Target 11.7).

SDG 13 Climate change 

Land use and transport policy, combined with fiscal, environmental and educational interventions that support walking, cycling and use of public transport by all, can contribute to a reduction in the use of fossil fuels and climate change mitigation (Target 13.1) and improved education, awareness, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation and adaptation (Target 13.2).

SDG 15 Life on land 

Policy actions that ensure adequate access to, and use of, natural environments for physical activity, recreation and play by children and adults can contribute to the sustainable use, appreciation, conservation and restoration of land, biodiversity (Target 15.1) and terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems (Targets 15.5).

SDG 16 Just and peaceful and inclusive societies

Policy actions that leverage the capability of sports to nurture positive social values such as respect and fairness and to unite people of different age, gender, socioeconomic status, nationality and political beliefs can contribute to reducing violence and conflicts (Target 16.1), as well as corruption and bribery (Target 16.5), and promoting non-discriminatory laws and policies (Target 16.b).

Actions in line with this Bangkok Declaration will contribute at scale to these SDGs in an evidence-based, cost-efficient and sustained way that will move nations, communities and individuals into everyday physical activity.

The Bangkok Declaration on Physical Activity for Global Health and Sustainable Development, endorsed by delegates at the 6th ISPAH Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health calls upon governments, policymakers, donors and stakeholders including the WHO, the United Nations and all relevant non-governmental organisations to:

1. Renew commitments to invest in and implement at scale and pace policy actions to decrease physical inactivity across the life course as a contribution to reducing the global burden of NCDs and achieving 2030 Agenda goals (SDGs 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 13, 15 and 16)

   The actions needed to reduce physical inactivity require increased prioritisation, multisector leadership, partnerships and sustained commitment, as well as targeted allocation of resources. Investment from health ministries and from other government departments should be maximised to enable a whole system, evidence-based approach implemented at national and local levels. Approaches should be cross-sectoral and recognise the breadth of political and economic drivers in sectors such as employment, tourism, urban and transport planning, education, health, sport and culture.

2. Establish national multisector engagement and coordination platforms

   All countries should develop, resource and implement integrated national action plans on physical activity. To be effective, plans should include mechanisms and resources to engage multisector stakeholders from inside and outside of health sector and engage the potential synergies with sustainable development, as well as contribute to reducing health inequalities related to sex, age, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and people living with disability.

3. Develop workforce capabilities

   Workforce training and development is fundamental to delivering an effective reduction in inactivity. Building capacity should be multiprofessional, including health and social care, urban planners, architects, teachers, sport and recreation providers, educators, policymakers and the non-governmental workforces. Approaches should be integrated into undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing professional educational pathways, and also consider the needs of volunteers and community leaders.

4. Increase technical assistance and share experience

   Many countries require technical assistance and guidance to support the development, implementation and evaluation of national action plans on physical activity, as well as guidance on building sustainable partnerships. There is potential to achieve more thorough collaboration and sharing at a global level, and there must be investment to support knowledge transfer and professional networks at global, regional and national levels to help all countries progress towards the 2025 global NCD prevention and control targets and the 2030 agenda.

5. Strengthen monitoring and surveillance

   Regular monitoring and reporting on progress of physical activity, its determinants and policy implementation are essential in all countries to hold agencies accountable to their commitments and guide effective resource allocations. Yet significant gaps exist in the surveillance of physical activity in children, young people, older adults and within minority populations.

6. Support and promote collaboration, research and policy evaluation

   Collaborations are made across researchers and policymakers, including medical and social research funding agencies, to further develop the evidence base with a particular focus on addressing gaps in knowledge in areas such as multisectoral economic analyses, implementation research at the population level and policy and process evaluation. There is a particular need to collaborate on what works to reduce inactivity, especially in low-income and middle-income countries.

   We urge WHO, United Nations agencies, all global health agencies and initiatives, Member States, state and local governments, and city officials to work together with civil society including academia, professional bodies and non-governmental organisations, as well as private sector and the media, to provide leadership and maximise the potential of our combined resources to meet shared goals for health and sustainable development and effectively implement all aspects of this Bangkok Declaration on Physical Activity for Global Health and Sustainable Development.