The WHO report presented on the occasion confirmed that Sharjah, which joined the WHO Healthy City Network in 2012, has successfully evaluated and achieved 88% of the indicators. This initiative is part of the vision and efforts of the Ruler of Sharjah in collaboration with WHO to put health at the top of the development agenda of the Emirate.

During the award ceremony, WHO expressed appreciation for the efforts of the local authorities for taking measures to improve health of the citizens and social welfare infrastructure, while embracing responsible environmental policies and practices, food safety control system, community organization and mobilization, emergency preparedness and response, education and literacy all through functional intersectoral collaboration. Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Esam Bin Saqar Al Qasimi, adviser at the Ruler of Sharjah’s office and chairman of the higher committee for Sharjah Healthy City programme said that the WHO honour was the outcome of the Emirate's efforts guided by the vision of Sharjah Ruler.