Welcome to the 2016 Annual Report for the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). It has been my honour to be the President of UICC during 2016 until I handed over the responsibility to Professor Sanchia Aranda at the end of a wonderful week in Paris in November when we organised the World Cancer Congress, World Cancer Leaders’ Summit and UICC General Assembly. This concluded a year of many achievements – many of which are covered in this report – some of which were particular highlights for me.