World cancer leaders pledge support for measureable action to tackle cancer
On 18 November 2011, 240 representatives from governments, the World Health Organization (WHO), civil society organisations, the private sector and the World Economic Forum pledged to support action to halt the spiralling global cancer epidemic.
By signing up to the Dublin Resolution at the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit, members of the international cancer community agreed to build on the momentum from the UN Political Declaration on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases.
Building on the Political Declaration
The Dublin Resolution aims to galvanise governments, multinational organisations and the private sector to ensure measureable action as an outcome of the UN Political Declaration.
The milestone Declaration, agreed in September 2011, recognises the scale of the crisis of cancer and other NCDs, and their impact on social and economic development. It also sets out the evidence base for policy action. However, crucially the Declaration lacks measurable targets to reduce preventable deaths. By signing the Dublin Resolution, high-level representatives from the public and private sectors and civil society pledged to support the Political Declaration and work together to increase prevention and control efforts; with the view of achieving a 25% relative reduction in premature mortality from NCDs by 2025.
Measureable Action
The Dublin Resolution – developed by our partner organisation UICC - spells out the measurable actions required by governments and societies to help achieve their shared ambition of reducing the social and economic burden of cancer for future generations. These are:
- Developing time-bound indicators by 2012 that address the increasing cancer epidemic;
- Promoting the inclusion of cancer-related targets in the post-2015 Millennium Development Goals;
- Promoting local policies and approaches that will strengthen and facilitate multi-sector action against the disease;
- Promoting sustainable and adequate resourcing in the areas of cancer prevention, early detection, treatment and care.
WCRF International participated in the conference and is a signatory of the Dublin Resolution.
Continuing our work
WCRF International has worked actively in partnership with other organisations to ensure that the UN High-Level Meeting was effective in delivering a strong Political Declaration, including a focus on cancer prevention. In advance of the High-Level Meeting we produced a briefing paper with calls to action for the prevention of NCDs, working in cooperation with experts on diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
We welcomed the outcomes of the High-Level Meeting and recognise that the Political Declaration is a crucial first step. However, we agree with UICC that more detail is needed in terms of specific and measureable targets and actions. This is why we are developing a follow-up paper that targets governments and the UN.
By signing the Dublin Resolution, high-level representatives from the public and private sectors and civil society pledged to support the Political Declaration. They have committed to work together to increase prevention and control efforts, with the view of achieving a 25% relative reduction in premature mortality from NCDs by 2025.
