The 3rd AFCRN Annual Review Meeting was hosted by the Abidjan Cancer Registry, Grand-Bassam, Cote d'Ivoire., from 16-18th February 2015, followed by an academic seminar “Special Workshop: Recording of Stage by cancer registries in Africa” and a presentation on the Female Cancer Studies in Africa (Dr Eva Kantelhardt, Halle University).

The Minister of Health (Ministre de la Santé et de la Lutte contre le Sida de la République de Côte d’Ivoire) Dr Raymonde GOUDOU COFFIE, accompanied by the mayor of Grand Bassam, Dr. Georges P. EZALEY, officiated at the formal Opening Ceremony. She warmly welcomed everyone present. She pointed out that the fight against cancer is a major national task and remains a priority of the Government of Côte d’Ivoire. Her government understands the crucial role of good cancer registration in this fight and she quoted several actions that her government is taking under the national cancer control plan, including cervical screening, tobacco control, HBV vaccination and HPV vaccination. An overview of the Network from Dr. Max Parkin. The report on activities of the AFCRN in 2014 is available from attachments below.

The meeting was attended by 33 directors/heads or representatives from 22 cancer registry members of AFCRN, keen cancer registry persons, consultants and other key partners. Apologies were received from the directors of the Nigerian National System of Cancer Registries (NSCR) and Registre de Reunion. Nineteen Sub-Saharan African countries (Inc. French, Portuguese, and English speaking) were presented.

The purpose of the meeting was to review the Annual Report on the Network’s activities and achievements in 2014, to provide an update on the ongoing work in member registries, to review and discuss the ongoing research projects, and to plan future joint activities in training, advocacy, research and fundraising in 2015. The Agenda of the meeting is available from attachments below. The meeting format allowed for discussions and constant interaction between members and participants. The minute of this ARM is also available below.