Thirty years ago, the WHO Centre for Health Development (WHO Kobe Centre- WKC) was established in Kobe, Japan, following an innovative proposal to WHO by the Governor of Hyogo Prefecture and the Mayor of Kobe City to contribute to international health development. 

A hallmark of WKC’s work has been on anticipated and emerging health and development issues, and translating social and technological innovations to and from Japan, sharing lessons learned with other countries and settings facing similar challenges.

In recent years, WKC has conducted research on promoting health systems for universal health coverage in the context of population ageing, and advancing knowledge on health emergencies and disaster risk preparedness. Local engagement with communities in Hyogo, Kobe and the Kansai region more broadly has also been a cornerstone of our work.

Central to our success has been our collaborative research and partnerships with over 150 global and local institutions in the last decade alone.

We are very grateful to the Kobe Group (Hyogo Prefecture, Kobe City, Kobe Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Kobe Steel Ltd.) for their sustained commitment to our Centre over 30 years, and to the people of Hyogo Prefecture and Kobe City for their support and engagement.

Please click below for our anniversary report and video, highlighting WKC’s contributions towards health development for 30 years.