Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) shared on LinkedIn:
“We sincerely thank Ulrika Årehed Kågström for her dedication and contribution to UICC, our members and the global cancer community over the past two years as UICC President, and eight years on the UICC Board, including serving as Treasurer and President-elect.
Thank you, Ulrika, for your leadership, commitment, and support!
We look forward to continuing to work with you and Cancerfonden as a UICC member.
About Ulrika’s time as President
Ulrika Årehed Kågström was the President of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) from 2024 to 2026.
Ulrika has served as UICC Board member since 2018. She has served as treasurer, chairman and member of the Knowledge, Advocacy and Policy Committee, chairman and member of the Finance Committee, member of the Strategy Review task force, member of the ATOM Coalition task force, member of the Governance committee, member of the task force on Antimicrobial Resistance, member of the Advisory Board of the Solidarity Fund for Ukraine and member of the Congress and Summit Committee.
Believing that no organization, government or sector can address the global cancer burden alone, Ulrika prioritized the ability to bring together different experiences and perspectives and turned them into collective action.
Throughout her leadership, she focused on sharpening UICC’s strategic direction and transforming it into a more member-centred organization.
‘Our members are not simply part of UICC. They are UICC’s greatest strength.’
Her primary vision was centered on health equity: ensuring that an individual’s location or socioeconomic status does not dictate their access to cancer prevention, early diagnosis, or treatment.
The Board and UIrika initiated and drove forward three major developments that will help shape UICC’s contribution to global cancer control for many years to come:
- World Cancer Declaration 2025-2035: Establishing shared goals and reinforcing accountability across the global cancer community.
- UICC’s new ten-year strategy for 2026-2036: Defining UICC’s future role as a global convener committed to equity and member-driven impact.
- Cancer Planners Forum: Creating a practical platform for national cancer planners to exchange experiences and bridge the gap between global goals and country-level execution.
The Declaration sets out our shared ambition, the strategy defines how UICC can best contribute, and the Cancer Planners Forum helps translate knowledge and commitments into action.
As she hands the presidency over to Zainab, Årehed Kågström leaves behind a stronger, more united UICC equipped to drive meaningful change. Beyond her role at UICC, she continues her work as Secretary-General of the Swedish Cancer Society, a board member of the Nordic Cancer Union, and a member of the Swedish Government’s Life Science Advisory Group.
You can also read: Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu Assumes the Role of UICC President
