2017 World Cancer Leaders’ Summit – furthering action at city levels

Last November, Mexico City set the stage for the 2017 World Cancer Leaders’ Summit ‘Cities driving change’, a first for Latin America.

Over three days, 350 influential decision makers in cancer control and public health discussed collaborative and multisectoral strategies that would support cities in transforming commitments in cancer prevention and care into further national action by 2025.

The 2017 Summit resulted in the official appointment of a National Coordinator from the National Cancer Institute of Mexico (and Summit host) by the Mexican government to develop and implement a sustainable national cancer control plan. Cancer was also highly profiled across the media in Latin America, part of Europe and Africa, with 824 published articles. 8,605 tweets with a potential reach of 36.1 million users were shared.

UICC Members counted for one third of Summit participants. Along with other leaders and peers, they were actively involved in discussions forums, breakfast sessions and workshops, leading to meaningful exchanges and strengthened cooperation in various areas of cancer control.

On the Summit day, they also listened to keynote addresses from President of Mexico Enrique Peña Nieto, President of Uruguay Tabaré Vázquez, Her Majesty Queen Letizia of Spain, HE Mrs Gabriela Michetti, Vice President of Argentina and HE Mrs Kim Simplis Barrow, First Lady of Belize.

Each leader stressed the importance of strong political will and common engagement from all major actors to accelerate impact on cancer control at national levels. Their messages were echoed by a number of Ministers of Health, city leaders and economists giving concrete examples of cities taking the lead in improving access to cancer treatment and care.

The Hon. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, Minister of Health of Ghana, announced that Kumasi will join C/Can 2025 as the fourth Key Learning City and the first in Africa while UICC President, Professor Aranda closed the Summit calling for Challenge Cities to join C/Can 2025.

As a follow up to the 2017 Summit discussions and actions, the next Summit has been entitled ‘Cancer Treatment for All’. It will be held on 1 October 2018 in Kuala Lumpur in conjunction with the 2018 World Cancer Congress. Exclusive Congress benefits and rates are available for UICC Members.

Please read more about the 2017 Summit, including its full report.