The 18th SIOP Asia Congress brought the pediatric oncology community together in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from June 25 to 28, 2026. The meeting created an important regional platform for clinicians, researchers, nurses, advocates, and other healthcare professionals committed to improving outcomes for children and adolescents with cancer.
Across four days of scientific exchange and collaboration, the congress highlighted the evolving priorities of pediatric cancer care in Asia, from earlier diagnosis and access to treatment to research, survivorship, supportive care, and cross-border partnerships. Hosted in Mongolia’s capital, the event also underscored the value of strengthening regional networks so that advances in pediatric oncology can reach children and families across diverse healthcare settings.
Here are 20 posts you cannot miss from the 18th SIOP Asia Congress
” SIOP Asia 2026 in Mongolia has begun!
Enjoy the Congress, enjoy the networking and learning!
Have a great Congress!”
“Today, I met with Professor Gevorg Tamamyan, President of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology Asia Continent.
During the meeting, we expressed our gratitude for the collaboration in organizing the 18th Asian Congress in Ulaanbaatar. We also exchanged views on strengthening cooperation in protecting child health, improving early detection, diagnosis, and treatment capacity for cancer, and expanding collaboration within the framework of the Global Initiative Against Childhood Cancer.
He highlighted that more than 300 delegates from 55 countries participated in this congress and expressed his commitment to working closely with our country in all areas related to the fight against cancer, including prevention, treatment, and support services.”
“Dr. Chinburen Jigjidsuren established the first liver-pancreas surgical team in Mongolia. Then as a Director of National Cancer Center, he launched the first liver transplant program. After becoming the Minister of Health and now as a Parliament member, he has been championing health innovation and accessible healthcare for the whole country!
Yesterday, among the other topics, we discussed also the antitobacco legislation passed by the Mongolian Parliament these days for the first round. He and his colleagues put a lot of efforts for that, and I am sure this is going to be a great success!
It was great seeing you, my friend, and good luck with all the great work you are doing!”
“Honored to share the stage with these amazing women at hashtag#SIOPASIA in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to talk about Women Leadership in Pediatric Oncology!”
Chalinee Monsereenusorn, M.D.:
“Thank you SIOP Asia and Women Leaderin Pediatric Oncology and honored to ground on the stage with amazing women in global oncology era!! In Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia”
“Last week, I had the honor of participating in the Childhood Cancer International Asia and International Society of Paediatric Oncology – SIOP Asia conference in in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
It was an intense, inspiring, and deeply meaningful week. I had the opportunity to learn from — and be inspired by — the tireless work of childhood cancer organizations across the Asia region.
My greatest takeaway is clear: collaboration is essential. We must come together — the medical community, researchers, people with lived experience, legislators, governments, private and public organizations and, of course, civil society and NGOs working every day to close the gaps in care.
Only by working together will we be able to move the needle and increase childhood cancer survival rates globally.
My deepest thanks to the organizers, especially Benson Pau and Jodie Sim , for all their dedication and hard work. Thank you for creating such a powerful space for learning, connection, and shared commitment.
I am also deeply grateful to my dear friend Tsetsegsaikhan Batmunkh — and to everyone who worked so hard to make this event such a success. It was also an honor to connect with Santiago Millan, Daniel Bastardo Blanco, PhD, Gevorg Tamamyan, Julia Challinor and so many dear friends with whom we share the same mission and passion.
Thank you, Rodney Wong, for your leadership and guidance. Thank you Bindu Narayanan Nair , Sidney Chahonyo, Simon Lala and Carl Queiros for your support during my presentations.”
”Collaborating on AI and Equity at SIOP Asia
Im just on my way back from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, where I joined pediatric oncologists and advocates from across the region for the International Society of Paediatric Oncology – SIOP Asia conference.
While I was there to share insights on AI’s evolving role in medicine, the most impactful part of the experience was the collaborative energy of the community.
I had the privilege of meeting several incredibly dedicated physicians who are entirely open to changing the status quo to improve patient outcomes, including Rodica Mindruta-Stratan, Dragana Stanić Tišma and others.
Equally inspiring was connecting with Childhood Cancer International the global network of patient and parent organizations. Remember that true disruption in healthcare requires this exact partnership: innovative clinicians working hand-in-hand with the families we serve.
Key focus areas from our discussions included:
Bridging the Access Gap: Brainstorming with the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – ARIA team on how to leverage AI to make data more accessible to low- and middle-income countries. By collaborating to validate these tools, leading institutions can help deliver “expert-like abilities” to frontline clinicians globally.
Practical AI Integration: Discussing how workflows can be optimized. We explored the future of medical tools—including AI Tumor Boards and the potential of “vibe coding” to reshape software development—while emphasizing that doctors must always maintain a critical eye on AI outputs.
A Shared Commitment to the Future
A special mention must go to the team at Prinses Máxima Centrum voor kinderoncologie International team, including Gertjan Kaspers ,Judith Spijkerman , Laura van Tinteren and Jessica Singh. The wonderful work they are doing to elevate care, education, and international twinning partnerships is a powerful blueprint for global health equity.
Meeting these forward-thinking doctors, dedicated advocates, and international partners face-to-face reinforced that true equity happens when advanced technology aligns with deep clinical and community commitment.
By joining forces across institutions, borders, and advocacy groups, we can ensure that the benefits of AI are shared equitably. Thank you to SIOP Asia, CCI, Máxima International, and all the clinicians who brought their vision to the table.
talk soon”
“SIOP ASIA 2026
Super excited to be attending the SIOP Asia 2026 meeting in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia!
Looking forward to learning from experts, networking with colleagues from across the region, and exchanging ideas in pediatric oncology.
Delighted to be speaking on thromboprophylaxis and presenting our institution’s experience with Core Binding Factor AML and blinatumomab through poster presentations.
Looking forward to an enriching few days ahead!”
Chalinee Monsereenusorn, M.D.:
“Thank you SIOP Asia and the Local Organizing Committee of the SIOP Asia 2026 Congress in Mongolia for a wonderful meeting.
Honored to contribute as:
Chair of the Global Oncology session
Invited speaker representing ThaiPOG on improving childhood cancer care in Thailand and Women Leaders in Pediatric Oncology Network, sharing my journey as a SIOP Rising Star Award 2023 recipient.
Looking forward to continuing our shared mission to improve outcomes for children with cancer. ”
“What a pleasure it has been to take part in the 18th SIOP Asia Congress in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia! 🇲🇳
I am honoured to have been an invited speaker and co-chair of the Radiotherapy session, where I presented our work: Implementation of a Pediatric Total Body Irradiation Program — Initial Clinical Experience in Qatar.
A special thank you to two giants of pediatric radiation oncology who made the session unforgettable:
Dr. Arnold Paulino, President of the Paediatric Radiation Oncology Society (PROS) and Section Chief of Pediatric Radiation Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center, for his masterclass on the evidence for proton therapy in children.
Dr. Hiroshi Fuji, a pioneer of childhood proton therapy in Japan, for his insights on radiotherapy for bone metastases in neuroblastoma and for generously co-chairing the session alongside me.
Conversations like these – across borders, techniques and ideas – are how we move pediatric radiotherapy forward, together.
Thank you to the SIOP Asia organisers, my co-authors and teams at NCCCR-HMC and Sidra Medicine, and to everyone working every day to make these treatments safer for children.”
“SIOP Asia in Mongolia was a wonderful success! Congratulations to my dear friend, Tsetsegsaikhan Batmunkh and her whole team for the extraordinary work they did! It was really great experience for all the participants and I am sure this congress will be a big milestone for improving pediatric oncology in Mongolia and in the whole region!”
“I have travelled to more than 40 countries during my UN career, but none was quite like Mongolia. With more than 250 sunny days per year, Mongolia is known as the ‘Land of the Eternal Blue Sky.’
Last week, I had the opportunity to visit the country for the first time and take part in what felt like a summit for childhood cancer in Ulaanbaatar.
Key highlights included meeting with Ministry of Health officials led by State Secretary Dr. N. Erdenebayar and national stakeholders, alongside colleagues from WHO Mongolia and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, to discuss Mongolia’s progress since joining the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines in 2023 and begin conversations about sustainability.
I also led a global webinar from WHO Mongolia to announce the Global Platform’s scale-up plans. Tsetsegsaikhan Batmunkh, Director of Public Health Policy Implementation at the Ministry of Health, shared Mongolia’s experience and encouraged other countries to join.
At the International Society of Paediatric Oncology Asia Congress 2026 (SIOP Asia), I joined Catherine Lam, Toby Kasper, Gevorg Tamamyan, and Godfrey Chi-fung Chan for a discussion on international collaboration in pediatric oncology.
We also hosted a Global Platform side event with colleagues from St. Jude, focused on transforming access into practice. We heard perspectives from Moldova, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, and Uzbekistan, and saw the value of collaboration across WHO’s country, regional, and global levels.
It was also meaningful to attend the opening of the Childhood Cancer International Asia Conference 2026 and reflect on the importance of including the voices of childhood cancer survivors and parents in everything we do.
Beyond the meetings, I valued the conversations over coffee, walks, and dinner, as well as a run through Ulaanbaatar, local art shopping, and discovering Mongolia’s renowned cashmere.
The people I met in Mongolia were exceptionally welcoming and warm. This was my first visit to the country, but definitely not my last. I look forward to returning soon.”
“Academician V.G. Polyakov—may my teacher live a long and healthy life.
In 2016, I had the privilege of training under his guidance for six months in the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck tumors in children.
He is an exceptional person in every respect—both for his knowledge and his humanity.”
“This past week, I had the opportunity to join colleagues from around the world at SIOP Asia 2026 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia—a gathering of more than 300 participants from 55 countries across one of the world’s most diverse regions.
One theme stayed with me throughout the meeting: the balance between science and compassion. As Alejandra Mendez shared in her powerful session on the role of civil society in closing the childhood cancer care-access gap, ‘Medical breakthroughs alone are not enough to save lives.’
At St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, our team contributed to several conversations across this spectrum. Randa Toutio and I had the privilege of co-leading a workshop, ‘Advancing Health Literacy in Pediatric Oncology: Practical Tools, Teach-Back, and Global Resources.’
Our session focused on a simple but critical idea: understanding is not guaranteed, even when information is available.
Together, we explored how communication gaps affect patient outcomes, practiced the teach-back method, and discussed how resources such as Together by St. Jude can help make complex information more accessible and actionable for families.
Throughout the conference, I was inspired by the breadth of work across the region, including the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines; the role of patient organizations and people with lived experience in shaping care; and innovations in AI-driven oncology and research collaboration.
At the same time, the meeting reinforced the reality that late diagnosis, treatment abandonment, and limited access to care continue to affect far too many children globally.
Thank you to Tsetsegsaikhan Batmunkh, the organizing committee, and the volunteers for an outstanding meeting. I return home in awe of Mongolia and with a strong desire to come back and explore more of its countryside.
I am grateful to be part of a global community working to improve care for children with cancer and communication with the families who support them every step of the way.”
“After 12 years, we met again.
Kamol, Gevorg, and Bayarbat—together once more after our time in Salzburg, Austria, in 2014.”
“I was honored to attend the CCI Asia Conference in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, alongside the CCI Global Board. It was a wonderful few days of learning, listening, and reconnecting with colleagues and friends from across the region.
One of the best decisions we made as a Board was to meet alongside our regional conferences. It allows us to hear directly from our members, experience the incredible work happening on the ground, and remain connected to the challenges and opportunities across our global network.
From inspiring presentations and practical workshops to meaningful conversations and new connections, I leave with fresh ideas and renewed confidence in what we can achieve together.
Our Board meeting was equally productive, with open discussions and important decisions that will help shape CCI’s future.
My sincere thanks to Benson, Jodie, the Local Organizing Committee, and the entire CCI Asia team for their warm hospitality and for organizing such an outstanding conference.
Congratulations to Jodie on being elected Vice Chair, and to all the newly elected Regional Committee members. I look forward to working with you.
The best part of every conference is always the people: reconnecting with old friends, meeting new ones, and sharing conversations that strengthen our movement.
Safe travels, everyone. See you in San Antonio—and before that, at our virtual AGA.”
“Honored to attend the opening ceremony of the SIOP Asia Congress in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, alongside Prof. Roula Farah and my friend Patrick Yip, a dedicated leader and advocate for childhood cancer survivors.”
“I spoke at ESHDOG, the Eurasian School of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology—an educational and expert platform that brings together specialists, researchers, and clinicians from across Eurasia.
For me, it was more than just a presentation. It was an opportunity to discuss ideas at the intersection of science, clinical practice, and the future of medicine.
Several insights stayed with me:
The future of medicine is moving from a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach toward personalized solutions.
Technology has value only when it improves real clinical outcomes for patients.
Interdisciplinary collaboration is no longer an advantage—it is becoming a necessity.
The pace at which new knowledge emerges is so rapid that the ability to keep learning is becoming a professional skill in itself.
Strong ideas are born not only in laboratories and clinics, but also through dialogue between people with different experiences.
I am grateful to the organizers and participants for the discussions, questions, and the opportunity to be part of such a community.”
“Leaders of key organizations in pediatric oncology and hematology across Asia, including St. Jude, SIOP, WHO, APHOG, and UICC.”
National Cancer Council of Mongolia:
“Global voices united for children in Mongolia at the 18th SIOP Asia Congress in Ulaanbaatar from June 25 to 28, 2026.
More than 360 pediatric oncology leaders, researchers, healthcare professionals, and inspiring survivors from 55 countries came together to strengthen collaboration, share the latest clinical advances, and help shape the future of childhood cancer care.
This milestone event marked an important step forward for pediatric oncology across Asia and beyond.
Together, we are building a brighter and healthier future for every child.”
Written by Nare Hovhannisyan, MD
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