The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved SIOP as one of their non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in official relations. This represents a major advancement for the paediatric oncology community and for the support of the worldwide fight against childhood cancer.

SIOP’s application and three-year work plan (2018 – 2020) were approved during the 142nd session of the WHO Executive Board held in Geneva (Switzerland) from 22 – 27 January 2018 and this new mandate provides SIOP with unique opportunities, privileges and responsibilities. SIOP will have a presence at WHO meetings and collaborate within the rich network of WHO partners.

As a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), SIOP has committed to contribute substantially to WHO activities according to the agreed and accepted working plan by:

• Providing technical inputs on follow-up of regional/national workshops, local stakeholders workplans, and advocacy;
• Supporting programmes that address competencies for childhood cancer control by disseminating WHO guidance and using the robust SIOP network;
• Conducting advocacy activities to improve access to essential medicines and medical technologies, by performing a situational analysis, identifying barriers and supporting implementation of programmes in select countries;

The World Health Assembly is the main decision-making body of WHO and is comprised of 194 Member States. Every year, generally in May, delegates from all Member States come together to agree on the Organization’s priorities and policies.

At the Health Assembly, country delegates make decisions on health goals and strategies that will guide their own public health work and the work of the WHO Secretariat to move the world towards better health and well-being for all. The Health Assembly also serves as a forum for reporting back on the implementation of the areas of work set, in order to determine what has been achieved and decide on strategies for addressing the gaps.

As a non-state actor (NSA) in official relations with WHO, SIOP will attend WHA79 to participate in official proceedings, connect with the global cancer community, and co-host and participate in side-events.

2026 remains a pivotal year in the global health agenda, especially for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health. Under the theme “Reshaping Global Health: A Shared Responsibility,” the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79) focuses on five core priorities to strengthen global health infrastructure. Key goals include finalizing the international pandemic agreement for future health security, advancing universal health coverage through sustainable financing, and tackling the health impacts of climate change ahead of COP31. Additionally, the assembly aims to accelerate disease control strategies (such as eliminating malaria and expanding mental health programs) and evaluate the integration of digital health and AI to improve healthcare equity and accessibility worldwide.

Those interested in tracking WHA79 proceedings are invited to access the latest information via the WHA79 landing page, which includes links to the livestream and important WHA documents, such as agenda and daily schedules.

As usual, the WHA79 agenda is very comprehensive and attempted to match them with the priorities outlined in our strategic plan. Hence, SIOP will closely track the proceedings on the following topics:

• 12.1 Follow-up to the political declaration of the third high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) (Constituency statement led by SIOP to continue to advocate  childhood cancer and other rare and life-threatening childhood NCDs in the UN 4th High Level Meeting Declaration on NCDs implementation which now includes childhood cancer

View full statement here

List of Non-State Actors in Official Relations participating in the Statement

• The International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) – organizer
• Childhood Cancer International (CCI)
• European Association for Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion (EuroSafe)
• HUMATEM
• International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB)
• International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR)
• International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care (IAHPC)
• International Pediatric Association (IPA)
• International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS)
• World Federation of Nuclear Medicine and Biology (WFNMB)
• World Federation of Societies of Anesthesiologists (WFSA)
• Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance (WHPCA)
• Worldwide Network for Blood & Marrow Transplantation (WBMT)

With the support of WHO Collaborating Centre:

• St Jude Children’s Research Hospital

View full statement here

• Under 12.4 UHC: ISR-led statement on Teleradiology Resolution: Strengthening equitable access to diagnostic imaging through teleradiology
• Under 12.5 Primary Health Care: NCD Alliance-led statement on integration of NCD prevention and care into PHC and health benefit packages across the patient pathway and ensuring effective referral pathways across  levels of care and allied health services.

Statements will be posted to official WHO NSA statement platform as well as on the SIOP website once delivered. We would like to thank our Advocacy committee, WHO NSA engagement committee and all partners who contributed their expertise to these statements.

We would like to thank our WHO NSA Engagement Committee Chair, Prof Maja Beck-Popovic to make the time in her busy schedule to attend official proceedings and be our voice. Also, our SIOP Asia President, Prof Gevorg Tamamyan will be part of our delegation. In case you are in Geneva this week, don’t forget there are many WHA side events, meetings, and activities that take place outside of the Palais des Nations which  do not require an official delegate pass.

SIOP is now a step further in placing the fight against Childhood and Adolescent Cancer on the Global Agenda and making a difference in the lives of children with cancer and their families worldwide.

The SIOP Global Advocacy Committee thanks the SIOP community and all partners for their continuous support during the application process.

We look forward to using this opportunity to expand our work together to improve the global situation for children with cancer.