Health Ministers and senior officials from across the Commonwealth will convene in Geneva for the inaugural Commonwealth Health Coordination Forum (CHCF), held ahead of the 79th World Health Assembly. Responding to the findings of the Lancet Oncology Commission on Cancer in the Commonwealth, CHCF will shape the Commonwealth's collective cancer agenda for years to come.
Background
Under the Commonwealth’s new Strategic Plan 2025–2030, the Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting (CHMM) will be convened every four years. The CHCF, convened by the Commonwealth Secretariat, represents a streamlined ministerial-level forum during intervening years.
The first CHCF will be convened under the theme, Shaping the Future of Cancer Across the Commonwealth.
The theme aligns with the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) agenda items on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), the Immunisation Agenda 2030, Universal Health Coverage and the Economics of Health for All.
The meeting will be held at the WHO premises, Geneva, Switzerland:
WHO Executive Room
Avenue Appia 20
CH-1211 Geneva 27
Switzerland
Participants and guests
The CHCF will bring together Ministers of Health, senior government officials, chief medical officers, global health leaders, Commonwealth Accredited Organisations and strategic partners from across the Commonwealth.
Objectives
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To facilitate dialogue on cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and care informed by the findings of the Lancet Oncology Commission on Cancer in the Commonwealth
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To share country experiences and best practices, and identify scalable solutions with particular attention to small and other vulnerable states
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To support member countries in engaging with NCDs and cancer ahead of and during the WHA
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To explore potential collaboration among member countries, Commonwealth Accredited Organisations, and other international financial and development partners on financing the cancer agenda in the Commonwealth
Discussions will also address follow-up actions arising from the Leaders’ Statement at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa.
Other related events
Preparatory information session
- Thursday, 7 May 2026
- Morning session 09:00 – 10:00 (Virtual)
- Evening session 20:00 – 21:00 (Virtual)
Side Event: Unlocking the Power of Sport and Physical Activity for Youth Mental Health in the Commonwealth
- Wednesday, 20 May 2026
- 07:30 – 09:30
- Venue: Rue du Pré-de-la-Bichette 1, Geneva
Media accreditation
CHCF is closed to the media, but WHA-accredited journalists can attend the opening session for the remarks by the Commonwealth Secretary-General.
Journalists from legitimate media organisations are invited to apply for media accreditation to attend CHCF.
For questions about accreditation, please contact Dr Ijeoma Onyeator at [email protected]
Delegates registration
The registration link for delegates from Commonwealth member countries will be made available in due course.
For general enquiries, please contact: [email protected]
