General Overview
the Summit is a high-level meeting attended by leading decision makers which aims to influence international health policy and secure a strategic response to the global cancer epidemic. It allows for timely debate on emerging issues related to cancer and provides a forum to spotlight a major health issue which demands a coordinated, multi-leveled global response.
A fundamental principle underpinning the Summit is that cancer is a global health crisis which demands cooperation across many disciplines, cultures, industries and societies.
Key objectives of the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit include:
- raising awareness among leading decision makers to make cancer a global health priority;
- providing a forum to exchange information and innovative ideas on how to reverse the global cancer epidemic and ensure a sustainable response;
- defining compelling messages to support the global call to action against cancer;
- creating a global force which galvanizes politicians and policy makers and increases cancers’ visibility on the international public health agenda.
Summits held in 2006 (Washington, D.C.) and 2008 (Geneva) assisted in developing global advocacy activities among key cancer-control leaders, most notably the launch of the World Cancer Declaration Initiative.
The 2010 Summit held in Shenzhen, China included the participation of over 170 leaders from the health, government, philanthropic and corporate sectors.
UICC will organise the 2011 Summit shortly after the UN High Level Meeting on NCDs in order to quickly develop a broad-based action plan for cancer based on the outcomes of the UN meeting.
