2021 UICC Annual Report
World Cancer Leaders’ Summit 2021
Driving innovation to advance cancer control equitably
25-26 October 2021 Innovation and equity were the central themes of the 2021 World Cancer Leaders’ Summit, both in terms of the focus of discussions and in their delivery, as this year the event was held virtually for the first time. Despite everyone’s best efforts, it was not possible to host a face-to-face meeting in Boston, USA, yet the Summit still offered global health leaders the chance to meet online in October 2021.
Over the course of the Summit, a record number of more than 600 cancer leaders from 104 countries connected with UICC and each other through 47 different sessions. In total, 107 speakers shared their expertise in a range of discussion formats, including regional perspectives shared by UICC Board Members. The event was presented by journalist Hannah Vaughan, who seamlessly steered participants and speakers through a packed two days of highly interactive exchanges.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus officially opened the Summit, followed by EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides, who shared how the EU Beating Cancer Plan is taking innovative approaches to improve cancer control. Dr Atul Gawande from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston addressed the mismatch between investments in breakthrough innovations and in implementation.
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