On September 25, 2024, the International Cancer Patient Coalition (ICPC) was officially launched during the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week in New York. This landmark event convened global leaders, healthcare professionals, researchers, patient advocates, and policymakers to address the pressing challenges and opportunities in the global fight against cancer.
The event underscored the Coalition’s commitment to tackling cancer through collaboration, innovation, and policy-driven action. Under the theme “Bringing the Best Minds Together to Tackle Cancer: Let’s Strive for More!”, the launch emphasized bridging gaps in prevention, early detection, diagnostics, treatment, and survivorship care.
Key highlights
High-Level Addresses
The event opened with welcoming remarks by Ambassador Donal Cronin, Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, followed by keynote speeches from:
- Dr. Werner Obermeyer, Director, WHO Office at the UN.
- Muhammad Ali Pate, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Nigeria.
Their insights set the stage for discussions on innovative, patient-centered strategies to combat cancer.
Panel discussion
Three sessions explored critical themes:
- Closing the implementation gap through policy: Prominent panelists, including representatives from the White House Cancer Moonshot and the Alliance Against Cancer, discussed policy frameworks to enhance cancer care globally.
- Equity, excellence, and AI in cancer care: Experts delved into the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and personalized medicine.
- The cost of inaction and global access to clinical trials: Stakeholders emphasized the need for equitable access to cancer treatment and the integration of climate change considerations in healthcare planning.
Vision for ICPC
The Coalition outlined its ambitious global Cancer Plan, focusing on:
- Strengthening international collaboration in research and innovation.
- Leveraging digital technologies to bridge inequalities in cancer care.
- Sharing resources and expertise to support countries with limited capacity.
Significance
The launch of ICPC represents a unified global commitment to addressing the cancer crisis. It reinforces the importance of a whole-of-government approach that prioritizes patients and harnesses the latest advances in science and technology to reduce the burden of cancer worldwide.
Discover the highlights and key moments from this event in our photo gallery below.
