Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cancer, are gaining prominence as significant health threats in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, they still lack sufficient traction and investment. The upcoming advocacy events, such as the UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and the TICAD Summit in 2025, present critical opportunities to address this gap.  The visit of Ms. Isabel Mestres, CEO of City Cancer Challenge (C/Can), alongside city managers Mr. Derrick Chan from Kuala Lumpur and Mr. Pich Bunthoeun from Phnom Penh, offers a valuable chance to highlight and position cancer within global health discussions. They will provide concrete, community-based examples from LMICs to key Japanese stakeholders. This visit also aims to enhance C/Can’s visibility and explore partnership opportunities in Japan, a crucial market in Asia.

C/Can is eager to collaborate with Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI), a leading think tank in global health and a platform for the NCD Alliance in Japan, to organise an event to further these goals.

[Event Overview]

• Date & Time: Thursday, June 20, 2024, from 15:00 to 17:00 JST
• Format: In-Person (no virtual attendance available)
• Venue: Global Business Hub Tokyo
  (Grand Cube 3F, Otemachi Financial City, 1-9-2, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-0004 JAPAN)
• Language: Japanese and English, with simultaneous interpretation
• Participation fee: Free
• Registration Deadline: Tuesday, June 18, 10:00 JST
  (Please contact us if you would like to join after registration closed.)
• Capacity: About 50
• Co-host: City Cancer Challenge(C/Can), Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI)

[Program] (tentative, times are in JST (GMT+9))

About City Cancer Challenge (C/Can)

Since its launch in 2017 as a Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) initiative and its registration as an independent Swiss foundation in 2019, City Cancer Challenge (C/Can) has been supporting cities worldwide in their efforts to enhance access to equitable and quality cancer care. Cancer is the second leading cause of premature death globally, with over 10 million cancer deaths in 2020. Low-and middle-income countries account for seven out of every ten deaths from cancer and the impact of these premature deaths further strains economies. By implementing tailored solutions, countries have the potential to save thousands of lives each year in an effective, sustainable, and scalable manner. C/Can has developed and implemented an innovative model that empowers local stakeholders such as policymakers, hospitals managers, healthcare professionals, academics, civil society representatives and patients to evaluate, plan and implement practical and sustainable solutions to improve cancer care at city level. For C/Can, cities offer a distinct environment to drive innovation in cancer care, which can be expanded to a national level. C/Can is present in 14 cities across Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. The global network continues to expand, with an open application process launched in 2023 to on-board new cities in 2025.