We’re so proud to co-host the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit 2025 (#WCLS2025) this week in Melbourne — a unique forum where global leaders come together to shape the future of cancer control.
The World Cancer Leaders’ Summit #WCLS25 is organised by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), IARC - International Agency for Research on Cancer / World Health Organization), and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
And this year's high-level summit was proudly hosted by Cancer Council Victoria, and we were co-hosts with VCCC Alliance and Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium.
Our McCabe Centre welcomed to Melbourne for the WCLS2025 our McCabe Centre Regional Managers joining us from Africa - Rachel Kitonyo-Devotsu, Asia - Ma-Anne Rosales-Sto. Domingo, and the Pacific - Delphina Taoa Kerslake, as well as our esteemed McCabe Centre alumna Margaret Asinimbu, Manager Legal Governance & Health Reforms, National Department of Health, Papua New Guinea.
Day 1: made clear that the epicentre of global health is shifting, and with it comes a renewed urgency to act. We heard frank reflections on cancer care needs in the Pacific, alongside powerful discussions on why supportive care and patient navigation must be at the heart of future systems.
The morning’s session “Reflecting on the UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs” featured an insightful discussion with Dr Cary Adams and Ulrika Årehed Kågström from the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC); Dato' Dr Saunthari Somasundaram from the National Cancer Society of Malaysia and President-Elect of NCD Alliance; and Anu Agrawal from the American Cancer Society. Our Director, Hayley Jones, contributed to the dialogue, offering a legal perspective on the strengths of the political declaration. While the declaration has not yet been formally endorsed, it represents a global consensus from 192 of 194 countries that provides a strong foundation for future action.
The fantastic liver cancer session organised by Charissa Feng and Todd Harper of Cancer Council Victoria delivered a reminder of the crisis and opportunities for coordinated action. The day also featured a compelling panel on improving cancer outcomes for Indigenous peoples, a sobering yet clarifying look at the future of multilateralism and global health, and insights on AI and cancer planning.
And as always, some of the most exciting possibilities emerged in the corridors — side conversations on shared challenges that spark new ideas and collaborations we are just starting to imagine. As well as catching up with so many lovely friends, a highlight was meeting our MC, the inimitable Virginia Trioli, whose warmth and clarity set the tone for thoughtful dialogue in the “Donut of Discussion”!
The session delivered a rich and forward-looking conversation on global cancer control — exploring how these commitments can be translated into national action, and examining both the strengths and limitations of the declaration.
Day 2: highlights for our McCabe Centre were the Australian Federal Health Minister, The Hon. Mark Butler’s keynote speech and strong commitment to tobacco control and preventive health measures- see more here. A powerful panel of Pacific cancer leaders, convened by Diana Sarfati from the New Zealand Ministry of Health, highlighted the interrelated challenges of cancer, health and climate change in Fiji, Samoa and Papua New Guinea, and opportunities for better coordination.
Significantly, the UICC launched the new World Cancer Declaration (2025-2035) which outlines a global framework for action through its “5×5×5 by 2035” roadmap, which includes:
- Five global targets: including a 25% reduction in cancer mortality and 60% of cancers diagnosed at an early stage;
- Five domains for national action: covering planning, data, research, education, and people-centred care;
- Five core principles: ensuring delivery is equitable, collaborative, evidence-based, sustainable, and accountable.
“UICC’s new World Cancer Declaration is not just a set of goals. With the ‘5×5×5 by 2035’ framework, countries have a practical tool to drive progress that is anchored in equity, evidence and collaboration. It’s about closing the gap between what we know works, what is available, and what is being delivered, particularly for communities that have long faced barriers to timely, quality cancer care.” – Ulrika Årehed Kågström, President of UICC said.
See the World Cancer Declaration 2025-2035 here.
The event closed with a series of commitments made by UICC members on next steps to close the gaps on cancer inequities. This included a joint commitment on making cancer learning resources available through the UICC Connect platform to benefit others around the world, from the McCabe Centre, Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer, MD Anderson, and the American Cancer Society.
We’re so grateful for the success of this event- we extend a huge thanks to the dedicated volunteers from the McCabe Centre, Cancer Council Victoria, VCCC Alliance and Monash Partners Cancer Consortium, and the outstanding organisation by UICC.
This work is what truly enables us to live this year’s theme: bridging divides, building futures. We were so proud to welcome some of the brightest cancer minds to our city of Melbourne as we continue shaping fairer, stronger cancer futures together.
See UICC World Cancer Leaders Summit highlights here.