Introduction 2023 is a very special year for UICC. The organisation marks 90 years of serving the cancer community and of addressing inequities in cancer control around the world, a milestone anniversary that provides the occasion to take stock of what has been achieved and adjust the strategic ambitions. In the last decade, UICC has increased its impact globally and established itself as a trusted international health organisation with a strong track record of delivering results (see appendix). Its membership base has doubled to more than 1,200 and includes cancer societies, government agencies, hospitals/treatment centres, patient support groups and professional associations. UICC members operate in more than 170 countries and territories across all regions of the world. UICC works with more than 70 organisations, embracing UN agencies, cancer and international health organisations and companies from the private sector, who share the ambition to address inequities and keep cancer on the global health and development agenda. UICC’s achievements have been recognised multiple times.1 UICC has won international awards for excellence in the delivery of member services, global events and communications. In 2022, it was shortlisted as the ‘International NGO of the Year’ at the European Association Excellence Awards. Despite significant progress in cancer control and remarkable improvements in survival rates for many cancers, millions of people around the globe still die from preventable cancers. The progress is far from equally shared and major disparities in cancer care persist between high-income and low- and middleincome countries but also within countries. The International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC) predicts 27.6 million new cancer cases worldwide each year by 2040. UICC remains committed to turning the tide on this burden.
Strategic planning UICC reviews its long-term strategic ambitions every four years. It maps out the implementation through a rolling three-year business plan guided by successive Boards of Directors. This document covers the period 2023-2025. It sets out an agenda which delivers the promise of UICC’s mission statement, carries forward much of the successful work of the recent past, and moves UICC in the direction of the long-term ambitions of the Board as set out in the conclusions of the latest strategy review in 2022. The organisation will continue to operate with rigorous fiscal scrutiny and not execute plans unless funding has been secured. Also, UICC will continue to grasp new opportunities as they emerge, in the same way it launched the Access to Oncology Medicines (ATOM) Coalition in 2022, despite it not being anticipated when the previous plan was written in 2019. Ultimately, UICC wishes to contribute positively to a world in which no-one dies from a preventable cancer, and those who have cancer have access to quality treatment and care. To do this, UICC will operate in the domains where it can have most impact.
“Inequities in cancer care exist both between nations but also within nations. Rather than fading, these inequities are increasing over time. UICC and its members are looking to present decision-makers with clear and concise demands to address disparities in health, while at the same time suggesting concrete solutions.” Ulrika Årehed Kågström, President-elect and Secretary-General of the Swedish Cancer Society
1. Recognition and awards | UICC 4
UICC objectives 2023-2025
