2025 Presidential Plenary Topic & Panelists

I believe that each IGCS President brings a unique lens to this moment, shaped by the region they represent and the issues they are most passionate about. One of the defining strengths of IGCS is the rich diversity of our global membership. From high-resource centers to under-resourced clinics, our members are united by a shared mission, but their realities can look vastly different. The Presidential Plenary serves as a platform to elevate these varied perspectives and bring attention to regionally informed solutions that can inspire global action.

This year I have chosen for this presidential plenary to focus on improving access to cancer surgery—a subject closely aligned with the IGCS mission and strategic pillar to advance equitable patient care. Hosting this plenary in South Africa adds a meaningful layer, offering the chance to reflect on surgical access both regionally and globally.

Why Surgical Access Matters

I wrote a Presidential Message that was released on Earth Day about how accessible cancer care and sustainable practices go hand in hand. Surgical access is a cornerstone of gynecologic cancer care, yet across low-, middle-, and even high-income countries, patients face major barriers to receiving timely, safe, and affordable procedures.

These inequities are not just a matter of geography or infrastructure—they are tied to broader issues of sustainability:

• Social sustainability demands we address inequities in training, workforce distribution, and access to care.
• Environmental sustainability calls on us to be mindful of ecological impact, especially in areas where surgical resources and waste systems are limited.
• Economic sustainability urges us to build cost-effective, scalable solutions that don’t compromise quality.

Sustainability in cancer surgery is not a single-issue problem—it’s a global challenge that requires collaboration, creativity, and courage. Click here to learn more and read the Presidential Plenary description.

A Thought-Provoking Program with Global Experts

This year’s panel will bring together voices from across the globe—experts who are innovating and advocating for surgical access in underserved settings:

Panel Discussion
 A collective dialogue on the way forward for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)

This plenary is more than a session; it is a call to action. Whether you work in a high-resource hospital or a remote clinic, the principles of equity, affordability, and sustainability affect us all. I hope you will join us for this timely and vital conversation—together, we can work toward a future where every woman, everywhere, has access to the surgical care she needs.

With purpose and hope,

Prof. Greta Dreyer
President, IGCS