Oman to host 2020 World Cancer Congress

Muscat: In October 2020, Oman will host up to 4,000 cancer control experts from more than 140 countries at the World Cancer Congress, and the World Cancer Leaders Summit, winning their bid over Sao Paulo, Brazil.
“The Oman Cancer Association (OCA) and its partner the National Oncology Centre are proud to announce, on behalf of its associates the Oman Convention Bureau and the Oman Convection and Exhibition Centre, the winning of the bid for the 2020 UICC (International Union for Cancer Control) Congress and the 2020 World Cancer Leaders’ Summit in Muscat – Oman,” said Dr. Wahid Al Kharusi, chairperson of the Oman Cancer Association, recently.
OCA will sign the contract for this prestigious World Congress on behalf of its partners and associates within a few days, where six heads of states are also expected to attend. “This congress was awarded to Oman due to a number of positive criteria-The Global recognition of the work of the Oman Cancer Association nationally, regionally and globally, especially its active work in the International Cancer Prevention Consortium (ICPC),” Said Al Kharusi.
“The international recognition of the National Oncology Centre at the Royal hospital, the high standard, modern, efficiently designed ideally central location and accessible facility of the Oman Convention Exhibition Centre, and Oman as a country and government of peace, security and tranquillity with welcoming people,” he added.
UICC is a highly globally reputed organisation that is registered with the United Nations and represents more than 140 member countries, with its headquarters in Geneva. OCA and the National Oncology Centre are full-time members of the UICC.
“We the organisers are requesting support from all entities in Oman, from media to tourism to educationists, to private and corporate sectors, to support this important congress to make Oman proud as it is always is,” Al Kharusi said.
According to Dr. Zahid Al Madhari, senior consultant at the Oncology Department in the Royal Hospital, “One of the main reasons of the congress being held in Oman is that we have different sets of challenges in the region than the western world.
“This is the first time the congress is happening in the Middle East or even this region as a whole, so we will work together with some of the neighbouring countries to focus on tackling some of these challenges.”
The bid was submitted by OCA President Al Kharusi, Dr. Basem Al Bahrani, director and Dr. Zahid Al Mandhari, deputy director at the National Oncology Centre, with the support of Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Obaid Al Saidi, minister of Health for of Oman.