In a Region facing protracted crises, fragile infrastructure and deep-seated political uncertainties, long-term strategic planning for public health can easily take a back seat. Yet health care can never be the exclusive concern of health care providers, clinicians and patients. Building stronger, fairer health systems requires the active engagement of multiple sectors, and the committed support of policy-makers.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the momentum generated by the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC), a collaborative effort between the World Health Organization (WHO) and St Jude Children's Research Hospital, and the way it has galvanized countries to strengthen childhood cancer services and care. Since 2023, we have witnessed a growing wave of commitment as more countries join the initiative. Countries including Syrian Arab Republic, Egypt and Pakistan have conducted national stakeholder workshops in collaboration with St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean and WHO headquarters. The most recent workshop took place in Libya in August.