Muscat - The World Cancer Congress, Summit and Exhibition 2025 concluded in Muscat on Thursday with the adoption of the Oman Resolution, a landmark framework urging governments, health institutions and international partners to integrate its recommendations into national cancer control plans.
The resolution calls for the creation of a regional monitoring mechanism under a dedicated task force; sustainable funding for prevention, research and workforce development; and a commitment to equitable access to care. It also proposes periodic review conferences to assess progress.
Framed as a model for regional cooperation, the Oman Resolution is based on principles of equity, empowerment and sustainability. It underscores the need for greater self-reliance in prevention, treatment and research, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
The document highlights the fact that cancer is now the leading cause of death globally, responsible for around 10mn deaths annually - more than HIV, malaria and tuberculosis combined. According to WHO and the GLOBOCAN network, global cancer incidence is projected to rise 77% by 2050, with over 35mn new cases expected that year. The rise is expected to be sharpest in countries with low and medium human development indices, driven by tobacco use, alcohol consumption, obesity and air pollution.
Regionally, the resolution points to an increase in cancer cases across GCC and Eastern Mediterranean countries, linked to urbanisation and changing lifestyles. It warns that younger populations are increasingly affected and many diagnoses occur at advanced stages, reflecting infrastructure and workforce gaps and dependence on imported medical supplies.
The document describes cancer as a multidimensional crisis - medical, social, economic and psychological - worsened by unequal access to care, high treatment costs, and limited investment in prevention and early detection. It urges governments to expand prevention programmes, promote survivorship, support local research and innovation, and reduce barriers to care.
The Oman Resolution rests on three guiding principles: equity in access to care, addressing social determinants of health, and empowering patients and survivors through inclusion in policymaking and employment protection.
It identifies seven strategic pillars - prevention and early detection; integrated care; human resource development; health system strengthening; research and innovation; local production of drugs and diagnostics; and governance through multi-sectoral cooperation.
Delegates called for collective implementation of these recommendations, coordinated monitoring, and sustainable financing. The resolution was described as a blueprint for a future built on fairness, innovation and shared responsibility.
The four-day congress included scientific sessions on oncology, haematology and palliative care. Experts discussed advances in immunotherapy, stem cell transplantation and the use of artificial intelligence in cancer management, stressing the importance of collaboration to improve outcomes and sustain research progress.