Hayley Jones, Director at McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“In a time of polycrisis, collaboration isn’t optional — it’s essential.
Last week, Melbourne hosted the UICC World Cancer Leaders’ Summit, bringing together global and Australian leaders to confront the rising burden of cancer. For our team at the McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer, it was an opportunity to consolidate a year of global engagement and reaffirm the critical role of law and policy in advancing equity.
Regional leadership was evident throughout the week, not only in hosting the Summit but in championing collaboration. It was fantastic to hear from Australian Health Minister Mark Butler on the ongoing fight against the tobacco industry.
Meanwhile, climate change is already reshaping health systems in the Pacific, and Pacific leaders reminded us that cancer control must be integrated with broader strategies for resilience and equity. With the launch of the new World Cancer Declaration, we have a responsibility to share what works, strengthen systems, and ensure no country is left behind. This is global health justice.
Engaging with leaders like HE Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu on gender inequities, Dato’ Dr Saunthari Somasundaram on lung health, Kwang Cheak Tan on healthy ageing and cancer, and Professor Karen Canfell and Prof Marion Saville on cervical cancer elimination reaffirmed the transformative power of law and policy.
A highlight was our final side event, ‘Advancing Progress on Health and Chronic Conditions in a Time of Polycrisis’, where we explored the intersecting global challenges we are facing — from climate change, funding cuts to geopolitical instability — and highlighted how we can strengthen resilience and protect health systems. These conversations underscored that technical solutions alone aren’t enough: governance, accountability, and political will are key. Thank you to our collaborators for this event – there is much still to digest – we will work on our report for release in early 2026!
Weeks like this show what’s possible when legal expertise, science, advocates and lived experience voices come together.
The McCabe Centre is proud to contribute to this global movement — and we are inspired to keep pushing for a world where cancer and NCD control is grounded in equity, rights, and the rule of law.
Congratulations to the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) on another super successful WCLS25 – the most diverse ever. Looking forward to the 2026 Summit in Nairobi!”
More posts from WCLS25.
