World Indigenous Cancer Conference 2026 (Copy)
UPDATE | 16 March 2026
Activating Global Indigenous Cancer Leadership: W.I.C.C 2028,
a Call to Action and the World Indigenous Cancer Network (WICN)
Key updates:
Tēnā koutou katoa,
As we look ahead to the 2026 World Indigenous Cancer Conference (W.I.C.C), we are also beginning the journey toward W.I.C.C 2028/2029 - and, just as importantly, continuing to foster collaboration and re‑activating our collective strength as a global community of Indigenous cancer leaders.
W.I.C.C will provide the space and time to reconnect, share knowledge, leadership, and move forward together.
WICC 2028/2029 – Host Expression of Interest
We warmly invite expressions of interest from groups who may wish to host WICC 2028/2029. An Expression of Interest form is available on the WICN website. DOWNLOAD EOI.
Indigenous Cancer Leadership Call to Action
We have developed a renewed International Indigenous Cancer Leadership Call to Action. An earlier Call to Action was published in 2018 in The Lancet. At the 2019 WICC in Calgary, we began work on a more definitive version of a Call to Action.
While that process highlighted the depth and complexity of our shared priorities, it also taught us the importance of focus. This time, we are being deliberate and pragmatic by asking for two clear and achievable commitments:
The opportunity for an international network of Indigenous cancer leaders to engage directly with leading international cancer control organisations.
Support from those organisations to enable and sustain this engagement.
These requests align with the draft WHO Global Plan of Action on the Health of Indigenous Peoples (2025–2034) and help advance the Indigenous cancer Call to Action published in The Lancet last year. We are seeking partnership with the following organisations:
International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP)
Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)
World Health Organization (WHO) – Cancer Programme
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
A draft Indigenous Cancer Leadership Call to Action is available on the WICN website HERE. We warmly invite your review, feedback and whakaaro.
World Indigenous Cancer Network - WIC Network space. We will have a dedicated space at W.I.C.C 2026 in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) — so please come and find us. You’ll be able to review the draft Call to Action, reconnect with colleagues, and enjoy many inspiring and energising conversations.
We will also use time together in the WIC Network space to refresh the World Indigenous Cancer Network. While the Network has been less active in recent years, it remains a committed, values-driven network with a strong foundation and an established website. Our next phase includes refreshing our Terms of Reference and expanding membership, strengthening WICN for the future engagement with international cancer control organisations supported by our Indigenous Cancer Leadership Call to Action
