The World Cancer Leaders’ Summit 2025 kicked off in Melbourne from November 18–20, bringing together over 400 of the world’s foremost cancer control experts and policymakers from more than 80 countries.
Hosted by UICC and Cancer Council Victoria under the theme “Bridging Divides, Building Futures,” the summit aims to tackle global inequities in access to cancer care, explore innovations like AI in cancer control, and launch the new World Cancer Declaration 2025–2035, which sets a bold roadmap of targets and principles to guide global cancer action over the next decade.
Union for International Cancer Control shared key highlights from World Cancer Leaders’ Summit 2025:
“Welcome to the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit 2025!
Today, 400+ leaders and experts from across the global cancer community gather in Melbourne to drive progress towards a world where:
- Everyone has access to affordable cancer treatment and care.
- No one dies from a preventable cancer.
Wishing all participants and speakers a productive Summit!
“The World Cancer Leaders’ Summit, under the theme ‘Bridging Divides, Building Futures’, has officially started in Melbourne.
Global cancer control requires collective solutions for pressing challenges. Over the next two days, 400+ cancer control leaders from more than 80 countries will explore how to overcome barriers and harness opportunities.
Thank you for your opening remarks, Ulrika Årehed Kågström, President, UICC, Todd Harper, CEO, Cancer Council Victoria, UICC member and Summit host, Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Jenny Atta, Secretary, Victorian Department of Health, Victoria State Government (Victorian Government), Virginia Trioli, Broadcaster and Journalist, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).”
“It is DAY ONE of the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit 2025!
Today’s agenda brings critical global perspectives and forward-looking discussions, including:
- The status of cancer globally
- Reflecting on the UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs
- Strategies for financing cancer control
- Advancing lung cancer within the global lung health agenda
- A panel discussion with UN agencies, the World Health Organization, IARC – International Agency for Research on Cancer / World Health Organization Cancer (IARC) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
- Cancer care in Indigenous communities
- AI in cancer care
And more.
Stay tuned as we share more highlights from WCLS2025!”
“Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, accounting for the highest mortality rates among both men and women. (WHO)
Today’s session at the WCLS2025 on ‘Advancing lung cancer within the global lung health agenda’ explored how the recent adoption of the World Health Organization Integrated Lung Health Resolution can catalyse progress in lung cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and survivorship.
The meeting highlighted leadership, innovations, multi-sectoral partnerships and country experiences that are shaping the future of lung cancer.
Let’s continue to push for stronger lung cancer policies globally.”
“That’s a wrap on day one of the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit 2025!
Today’s discussions spanned the global picture of cancer control, with reflections on the UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and a UN agencies panel featuring the World Health Organization, IARC, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Focused sessions on cervical, liver and lung cancer reinforced the importance of coordination across sectors and countries to improve prevention, early detection and care, especially in low-resource settings.
Other key highlights included:
- Spotlights on actions in Brunei, Cambodia, and Tonga
- Examples of how AI is transforming cancer control
- Calls for action to ensure cancer care for Indigenous communities
Thank you to all speakers and participants for contributing to a great first day!
Together, we are bridging divides and building futures that close the gaps.”
“We’re excited to kick off day two of the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit 2025!
Today marks a pivotal moment as delegates look ahead to the next decade of global cancer control.
On the agenda:
- Launch of the new World Cancer Declaration 2025–2035
- Inequities in women’s cancer care
- Access to cancer medicines and technologies
- People-centred care — a key theme for WorldCancerDay 2026
- National cancer control planning
Looking forward to a productive final day of the WCLS2025!”
“We were honoured to welcome Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Ageing, and Minister for Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Australian Government, to the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit 2025 in Melbourne.
In his special address, Minister Butler highlighted:
- Australia’s comprehensive approach to noncommunicable diseases and cancer
- The nation’s leadership in advancing global health priorities, including its commitment to skin cancer prevention and cervical cancer elimination
- The importance of promoting equity in health, both across Australia and through its collaborative partnerships throughout the region
Thank you, Minister Butler, for your strong support and insights.”
“Launching the new World Cancer Declaration 2025–2035.
UICC President, Ulrika Årehed Kågström, has presented the new World Cancer Declaration at the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit in Melbourne:
- Five global targets: including a 25% reduction in cancer mortality and that 60% of cancers are 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.
The new 5x5x5 by 2035 framework is set to guide progress that is anchored in equity, evidence and collaboration and inspire global leaders to commit to stronger action against cancer worldwide.
“One of the true highlights of each World Cancer Leaders’ Summit is welcoming UICC member organisations from around the world.
We were delighted to see so many of our members represented in Melbourne, bringing their expertise, passion, and commitment to improving cancer control globally and in their countries.
As the Summit draws to a close, we want to share some moments with just a few of the wonderful organisations joining us this year:
- Breast Cancer Network Australia
- Qatar Cancer Society
- KILELE Health Association(Kenya)
- CANSA The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA)
- Brunei Cancer Centre
- Global Medical Knowledge Alliance, Ukraine
We’re grateful for such a vibrant and impactful member community!”
You can also read: Key Highlights From World Cancer Leaders’ Summit 2025
