Global Cervical Cancer Elimination Forum: Advancing the call to action. Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, 5–7 March 2024. Executive summary

Abstract

The Global Cervical Cancer Elimination Forum, held in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, 5–7 March 2024, marked a significant milestone in global collaboration for women’s health to advocate for greater commitments for cervical cancer elimination. The Forum was co-hosted by the governments of Colombia and Spain, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Gavi, Global Financing Facility, UNICEF, Unitaid, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), World Bank, and Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). It gathered approximately 302 representatives from governments, civil society, and international organizations from around 54 countries, showcasing the collective commitment toward eliminating cervical cancer as a public health concern. The Forum reinforced the Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer as a Public Health Problem, which entails 90% of girls fully vaccinated with human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine by age 15 years, 70% of women screened with a high-performance test by 35 years of age and again by 45 years of age, and 90% of women identified with cervical disease received treatment (known as the 90–70–90 targets). The Forum concluded with a strong call to action to intensify global and national efforts in the fight against cervical cancer. It is imperative that these commitments lead to concrete and sustainable actions that ensure universal access to vaccination, early detection, and effective treatment. The importance of continuing to build strategic alliances and ensuring sustained commitment from all stakeholders to achieve the goals set for 2030 was underscored. The need to focus on equity, innovation, access, and quality of healthcare services was emphasized as essential to overcoming this public health challenge. The international collaboration and renewed commitment from participants underline the genuine possibility of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health issue. This Forum served not only to highlight existing challenges but also to mobilize global actors toward joint action, emphasizing that effective prevention and treatment are fundamental rights of all women. The call for action to all countries and organizations to continue working together, sharing resources, knowledge, and successful experiences was emphasized as essential to overcome pending challenges and achieve the goals set for 2030.