The second edition of the Cancer Planners Forum was held from 13 to 15 May 2026 at Pavillon Gallatin in Geneva, Switzerland, bringing together government-appointed cancer planners and international stakeholders focused on strengthening national approaches to cancer control.
Organised by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the International Cancer Control Partnership (ICCP), the invitation-only Forum is dedicated to positioning national cancer control plans as strategic investments in the future of countries.
The 2026 meeting welcomed 120 participants from 54 countries, including 45 government-appointed cancer planners representing 42 countries.
From Cancer Plans to National Investment
National Cancer Control Plans (NCCPs) provide a framework for organising national responses to cancer and addressing its impact on individuals, families, communities, and health systems.
Yet the implementation and effectiveness of these plans continue to vary considerably between countries. The Cancer Planners Forum was created to provide those directly responsible for developing and implementing NCCPs with a dedicated international setting in which to exchange experience, identify practical approaches, and strengthen cancer planning.
A central message of the Forum is that cancer control planning represents more than a health policy exercise. It is an investment in the future of a country, requiring appropriate resources, sustained implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and collaboration.
Building Stronger Cancer Control Plans Through Collaboration
The Cancer Planners Forum aims to equip cancer control planners with actionable knowledge while connecting them with peers facing similar challenges.
Its objectives include improving access to essential resources for the development and implementation of NCCPs, encouraging greater investment in cancer control planning, and strengthening cross-border collaboration between countries confronting comparable barriers.
The Forum also seeks to promote best practices in monitoring and evaluation and to establish a sustainable network connecting cancer planners with relevant partner and stakeholder organisations.
By creating a dedicated environment for these exchanges, participants can compare national experiences and discuss practical approaches to developing comprehensive, cost-effective, and effectively implemented cancer strategies.
Cancer Planners Forum 2026 Brings Together 54 Countries
Following the inaugural Forum in 2025, the 2026 edition expanded the international community participating in the initiative.
The meeting brought together 120 participants representing 54 countries, with 45 government-appointed cancer planners from 42 countries among those attending.
Participant feedback reflected a strong response to the meeting. Ninety-five percent of respondents reported being “very satisfied” with the Forum overall, while 100% rated their experience positively.
Networking and direct exchange were also central to the experience. All respondents reported connecting with participants they had not known before, while participants particularly valued opportunities to speak directly with colleagues facing similar challenges in national cancer planning.
Creating a Global Community for Cancer Planners
The Cancer Planners Forum was initiated in 2025 as the first global face-to-face meeting dedicated specifically to professionals responsible for developing and implementing national cancer control plans.
Rather than approaching cancer planning within broader cancer meetings, the Forum created a dedicated space for planners themselves to discuss implementation, financing, evaluation, and the realities of translating national strategies into practice.
The initiative also brings cancer planners into direct contact with international organisations and members of the wider cancer control community, supporting the development of a network that can continue beyond the Forum itself.
Building on the First Cancer Planners Forum
The inaugural Cancer Planners Forum was held from 14 to 16 May 2025 in Geneva, under the theme “Cancer control planning as an investment in the future of a country.”
More than 100 participants attended the first edition, including 44 cancer planners representing 40 countries, alongside experts from international organisations, ICCP partners, and the broader cancer control community.
Following the meeting, 97% of participants reported gaining valuable insights that could support their work in developing and implementing National Cancer Control Plans.
The second edition in 2026 built on this foundation, bringing together an expanded group of cancer planners while maintaining the Forum’s focus on practical knowledge exchange and collaboration.
Strengthening the Future of National Cancer Control
As countries work to develop and implement effective responses to cancer, the Cancer Planners Forum provides a dedicated international platform for those responsible for turning national cancer strategies into practice.
Through stronger professional networks, access to resources, collaboration between countries, and greater attention to monitoring, evaluation, and sustainable funding, the Forum seeks to strengthen the development and implementation of National Cancer Control Plans worldwide.
With two editions now completed, the initiative continues to position cancer control planning as a long-term national investment and to build a global community of professionals working toward stronger and more effective cancer strategies.
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