HPV Vaccination in the Asian and Pacific Region; Achievements and Barriers,

Rationales and Objectives

The increasing prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers, particularly cervical cancer, remains a pressing public health issue across Asia and the Pacific. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally, with a disproportionate burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), many of which are located in the Asia-Pacific region. Despite the availability of safe and effective vaccines, uptake remains uneven due to systemic, cultural, logistical, and political barriers.

In this context, the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention (APJCP) and the Asian Pacific Organization for Cancer Prevention (APOCP) have jointly taken the initiative to host a hybrid symposium titled “HPV Vaccination in the Asian and Pacific Region: Achievements and Barriers” on June 20, 2025. This event seeks to serve as a strategic meeting point for researchers, public health practitioners, policy makers, and advocates who are dedicated to the prevention and control of HPV-related cancers.

Why This Symposium Now?

Several pivotal reasons drive the urgency of this event:

1. Unequal Access to HPV Vaccination
2. Global Health Goals and WHO Elimination Strategy
3. APJCP’s Contribution to HPV Research
4. Collaborative Policy Making and Best Practices

Symposium Objectives

– Highlight Regional Achievements
– Identify and Discuss Barriers
– Strengthen Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange
– Produce a Knowledge-Based Output

The Theme and Tentative Program

Symposium Theme: “HPV Vaccination in the Asian and Pacific Region: Achievements and Barriers”
The selected theme acknowledges both the progress made and the persistent gaps in implementing comprehensive HPV vaccination strategies. It underscores the dynamic landscape of public health efforts in the region, balancing recognition of commendable national programs with the urgent need to address ongoing systemic and cultural challenges.

Tentative Program Agenda

08:30 – 09:00 – Opening Ceremony
09:00 – 09:45 – Keynote Address: “HPV Elimination: WHO Goals and Regional Progress”
09:45 – 10:30 – Plenary Session I: “Milestones in HPV Vaccination: A Regional Review”
10:30 – 11:00 – Break
11:00 – 12:30 – Session I: Success Stories
12:30 – 13:30 – Lunch / Informal Discussions
13:30 – 15:00 – Session II: Barriers and Challenges
15:00 – 15:30 – Break
15:30 – 17:00 – Session III: Future Roadmap & Policy Development
17:00 – 17:30 – Closing Remarks & Call to Action

Participation in the Meeting

There will be two categories of scientists who want to participate:

1. Participants who want to have a live presentation at the symposium.  These participants need to send an abstract for the meeting.  The abstract will be evaluated and decided on. Abstracts accepted for oral presentation will have the chance to present live online in one of the sessions. Accepted abstracts must be presented during the session and already have their slides prepared and sent to the organizing committee for preparation. The details on how to prepare the presentation will be sent to the applicant later. To send an abstract, please click on this link, register, and then you will be prompted for abstract submission.

1. Participants who just want to participate with no presentation. This category of participant must register for the meeting to participate.  There is no registration fee for participation. Each session is limited to 100 participants.  Due to technical limitations, the first-come, first-served strategy will be applied. The first comers are those who register for the meeting earlier. To register,  please click on this link.

REGISTER

Young Investigator Awards

In order to encourage young investigators to present their research, there will be two awards of 300 US dollars to be given to five young scientists with the best presentation. A panel of experts who constitute the prize committee will decide on selecting the candidate for the prize. The candidate will be selected from those who present their research live at the meeting. The decision about the candidate will be announced at the closing ceremony on the last day of the event.

The Young Investigator Awards is supported by the APOCP’s West Asia Chapter .

West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP’s West Asia Chapter