Kutse

UN City, Marmorvej 51 Tel.: +45 45 33 70 00 Email: [email protected] DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø Fax: +45 45 33 70 01 Website: https://www.who.int/europe Denmark

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ

WELTGESUNDHEITSORGANISATION ВСЕМИРНАЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ ЗДРАВООХРАНЕНИЯ

Date: 14 July 2025

REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE BUREAU RÉGIONAL DE L’EUROPE

REGIONALBÜRO FÜR EUROPA ЕВРОПЕЙСКОЕ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЕ БЮРО

Head office:

UN City, Marmorvej 51, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark

Tel.: +45 45 33 70 00; Fax: +45 45 33 70 01 Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.who.int/europe

Dr Karmen Joller Minister of Social Affairs Ministry of Social Affairs Suur-Ameerika 1 Tallinn 10129 Estonia Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Launch of the IARC Handbook of Cancer Prevention, Volume 20B, 14 October 2025 (10:00 to 11:30 CEST), Auditorium III, UN City, Copenhagen, Denmark

Dear Madam, It was a pleasure to welcome you recently to the WHO Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe). I would like to thank you personally for your visit, as well as for Estonia’s outstanding leadership and continued commitment to advancing effective alcohol policies. Your country’s example is vital in promoting evidence- based action across the WHO European Region. In this context, I am pleased to invite you to join us as a distinguished panellist for the high-level launch of the IARC Handbook of Cancer Prevention, Volume 20B. This event is being organized by WHO/Europe and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and will take place on Tuesday, 14 October 2025 from 10:00 to 11:30 CEST in Auditorium III, UN City, Copenhagen, Denmark. The session will also be livestreamed, with the opportunity for online participation. This launch marks a key milestone in the WHO/European Union (EU) Evidence into Action Alcohol (EVID- ACTION) Project which aims to advance alcohol policy for cancer prevention. The new Volume 20B of the IARC Handbook of Cancer Prevention presents comprehensive reviews and consensus evaluations of effective interventions to reduce cancer incidence and mortality, with a particular focus on the link between alcohol consumption and cancer. Your participation in the event would be instrumental in catalysing high-level political engagement and multisectoral action on alcohol policy. It would also help to amplify the reach and impact of the Handbook’s findings among policy-makers, public health leaders, cancer prevention experts and the media. We look forward to continuing and deepening our collaboration with Estonia. WHO remains fully committed to providing technical support on alcohol taxation and other high-impact, evidence-based interventions to reduce alcohol-related harm and improve population health. We very much hope that you will be able to accept this invitation and we look forward to your response. We would be grateful if you could inform us of your attendance copying the responsible technical focal point: Ms Maria Neufeld ([email protected]). Please accept my assurance of our highest regard and commitment to our continued partnership. Yours very truly, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge Regional Director

– 2 –

Enclosures: Scope and purpose Provisional programme Copy for information to: Ms Helen Sõber, Adviser, European Union Affairs and International Co-operation Department, Ministry of Social Affairs, Suur-Ameerika 1 Tallinn 10122, Estonia, Email: [email protected] Ms Agne Nettan-Sepp, Head, European Union Affairs and International Co-operation Department Ministry of Social Affairs, Suur-Ameerika 1 Tallinn 10129, Estonia, Email: [email protected], [email protected] H.E. Ms Riia Salsa-Audiffren, Ambassador Representative of the Republic of Estonia, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Estonia to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva Chemin du Petit-Saconnex 28A Genève CH-1209, Switzerland, Email: [email protected], [email protected] H.E. Mr Andre Pung, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Republic of Estonia Frederiksgade 19, 4th floor Copenhagen K 1265, Denmark, Email: [email protected] Ms Kristina Köhler, Liaison Officer, WHO Country Office, Estonia, Paldiski Road 81 Tallinn 10617, Estonia, Email: [email protected]

UN City, Marmorvej 51 Tel.: +45 45 33 70 00 Email: [email protected] DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø Fax: +45 45 33 70 01 Website: https://www.who.int/europe Denmark

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ

WELTGESUNDHEITSORGANISATION ВСЕМИРНАЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ ЗДРАВООХРАНЕНИЯ

Date: 14 July 2025

REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE BUREAU RÉGIONAL DE L’EUROPE

REGIONALBÜRO FÜR EUROPA ЕВРОПЕЙСКОЕ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЕ БЮРО

Head office:

UN City, Marmorvej 51, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark

Tel.: +45 45 33 70 00; Fax: +45 45 33 70 01 Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.who.int/europe

Dr Karmen Joller Minister of Social Affairs Ministry of Social Affairs Suur-Ameerika 1 Tallinn 10129 Estonia Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Launch of the IARC Handbook of Cancer Prevention, Volume 20B, 14 October 2025 (10:00 to 11:30 CEST), Auditorium III, UN City, Copenhagen, Denmark

Dear Madam, It was a pleasure to welcome you recently to the WHO Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe). I would like to thank you personally for your visit, as well as for Estonia’s outstanding leadership and continued commitment to advancing effective alcohol policies. Your country’s example is vital in promoting evidence- based action across the WHO European Region. In this context, I am pleased to invite you to join us as a distinguished panellist for the high-level launch of the IARC Handbook of Cancer Prevention, Volume 20B. This event is being organized by WHO/Europe and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and will take place on Tuesday, 14 October 2025 from 10:00 to 11:30 CEST in Auditorium III, UN City, Copenhagen, Denmark. The session will also be livestreamed, with the opportunity for online participation. This launch marks a key milestone in the WHO/European Union (EU) Evidence into Action Alcohol (EVID- ACTION) Project which aims to advance alcohol policy for cancer prevention. The new Volume 20B of the IARC Handbook of Cancer Prevention presents comprehensive reviews and consensus evaluations of effective interventions to reduce cancer incidence and mortality, with a particular focus on the link between alcohol consumption and cancer. Your participation in the event would be instrumental in catalysing high-level political engagement and multisectoral action on alcohol policy. It would also help to amplify the reach and impact of the Handbook’s findings among policy-makers, public health leaders, cancer prevention experts and the media. We look forward to continuing and deepening our collaboration with Estonia. WHO remains fully committed to providing technical support on alcohol taxation and other high-impact, evidence-based interventions to reduce alcohol-related harm and improve population health. We very much hope that you will be able to accept this invitation and we look forward to your response. We would be grateful if you could inform us of your attendance copying the responsible technical focal point: Ms Maria Neufeld ([email protected]). Please accept my assurance of our highest regard and commitment to our continued partnership. Yours very truly, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge Regional Director

– 2 –

Enclosures: Scope and purpose Provisional programme Copy for information to: Ms Helen Sõber, Adviser, European Union Affairs and International Co-operation Department, Ministry of Social Affairs, Suur-Ameerika 1 Tallinn 10122, Estonia, Email: [email protected] Ms Agne Nettan-Sepp, Head, European Union Affairs and International Co-operation Department Ministry of Social Affairs, Suur-Ameerika 1 Tallinn 10129, Estonia, Email: [email protected], [email protected] H.E. Ms Riia Salsa-Audiffren, Ambassador Representative of the Republic of Estonia, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Estonia to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva Chemin du Petit-Saconnex 28A Genève CH-1209, Switzerland, Email: [email protected], [email protected] H.E. Mr Andre Pung, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Republic of Estonia Frederiksgade 19, 4th floor Copenhagen K 1265, Denmark, Email: [email protected] Ms Kristina Köhler, Liaison Officer, WHO Country Office, Estonia, Paldiski Road 81 Tallinn 10617, Estonia, Email: [email protected]

WHO/EU Evidence into Action Alcohol Project (EVID-ACTION) Press conference on alcohol and cancer “Prevention in Focus: Europe’s Moment for Bold Alcohol Action: 14 October 2025, 09.00-09.40 CEST UN Studio, UN City Copenhagen, Denmark and Online

24 May 2025 Original: English

Provisional programme

09.00-09.40

Press-conference on alcohol and cancer UN City Studio Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe Dr Elisabete Weiderpass, Director, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)

10:00–10:05 Welcome & Opening Remarks Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe

10:05–10:15 Key note address: Alcohol and cancer. What do we know and where do we go? Dr Elisabete Weiderpass, Director, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)

10:15-11:00 Panel Discussion: What can we do to accelerate action to prevent harm from alcohol in Europe? Policymakers and public health leaders will share insights on effective alcohol policy measures and successful implementation practices across diverse settings. Suggested panelists

• Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe • Dr Elisabete Weiderpass, Director, International Agency for Research on

Cancer (IARC) [TBC] • Ms Sophie Løhde, Minister of the Interior and Health of Denmark [TBC] • Dr Karmen Joller, Minister of Social Affairs Estonia [TBC] • Mr Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare,

European Commission [TBC] • Ms Romana Jerković Kraljić, Member of European Parliament, President

of MEPs Against Cancer interest group [TBC]

Provisional programme Page 2

11:00-11:25 Technical Q&A with experts

• Dr. Beatrice Lauby-Secretan, Head for IARC Handbooks of Cancer Prevention Programme, Deputy Head, Evidence Synthesis & Classification Branch, IARC, Lyon, France

• Dr. Susan Gapstur, Senior Visiting Scientist, Evidence Synthesis & Classification Branch, Responsible Officer for IARC Handbooks Volumes 20 A & B, IARC, Lyon, France

• Dr. Jürgen Rehm, Senior Scientist, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Chair of the Experts Group of Head of IARC Handbook Volume 20 B, Toronto, Canada

• Dr. Carina Ferreira-Borges, Regional Advisor, Alcohol Illicit Drugs and Prison Health, WHO Regional Office for Europe

• Dr. Dag Rekve, Senior Technical Officer, Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours Unit, WHO Headquarters Geneva

11:25–11:30 Closing remarks

Dr Gundo Weiler, Director, Prevention and Health Promotion, WHO Regional Office for Europe

WHO/EU Evidence into Action Alcohol Project (EVID-ACTION) Advancing Alcohol Policy for Cancer Prevention High-Level Launch of the IARC Handbook for Cancer Prevention, Volume 20b

14 October 2025, 10.00-11.30 CEST Auditorium III, UN City and online Copenhagen, Denmark

24 March 2025

Original: English

Scope and purpose Alcohol consumption is a significant public health challenge, intricately linked to a wide range of health risks, including cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified alcoholic beverages as Group 1 carcinogens, confirming the strong evidence of their role in causing several types of cancer, including those of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, liver, colorectum, and female breast. In 2020 alone, an estimated 741,300 new cancer cases globally were caused by alcohol, highlighting the urgent need for evidence-based interventions. In the EU, alcohol consumption was estimated to cause 111,300 new cancer cases in the same year, corresponding to 4.1% of all new cases.

The IARC Handbooks of Cancer Prevention provide comprehensive reviews and consensus evaluations of the evidence on the effectiveness of preventive interventions that may reduce cancer incidence or mortality. In developing these handbooks, IARC convenes independent, interdisciplinary working groups of international experts who transparently synthesize diverse streams of evidence and translate them into an overall evaluation based on established criteria. Volume 20B of the IARC Handbook of Cancer Prevention specifically focuses on alcohol policies and identifies and evaluates effective interventions and policy measures to reduce alcohol use and ultimately reduce the burden of alcohol-attributable cancers.

Recognizing the pressing need for targeted, evidence-based action, the WHO Regional Office for Europe and IARC, in a framework of the WHO/EU Evidence into Action Alcohol Project (EVID-ACTION), are organizing this high-level launch event to disseminate the handbook’s findings, emphasizing its policy relevance and practical recommendations for reducing the global cancer burden associated with alcohol.

The objectives of this high-profile event are to:

• Launch the Handbook for Cancer Prevention Volume 20B with high-level endorsement and maximum visibility.

• Maximize reach and engagement across diverse audiences, including building awareness for the Handbook at the highest level.

• Raise awareness and understanding of the link between alcohol and cancer through scientific evidence and trusted messaging.

• Catalyze political commitment and multisectoral action for stronger alcohol policies across Europe.

Scope and purpose page 2

• Provide a media-friendly platform to communicate key findings, policy recommendations, and actions of the Handbook.

The target audience of the event are national and regional policymakers, public health officials and experts, cancer prevention experts, representatives from international organizations and non- governmental organizations, researchers and academic institutions, media, journalists and communications professionals.

The event will be conducted as a hybrid event in English language. Interpretation into Russian will be provided.

WHO/EU Evidence into Action Alcohol Project (EVID-ACTION) Press conference on alcohol and cancer “Prevention in Focus: Europe’s Moment for Bold Alcohol Action: 14 October 2025, 09.00-09.40 CEST UN Studio, UN City Copenhagen, Denmark and Online

24 May 2025 Original: English

Provisional programme

09.00-09.40

Press-conference on alcohol and cancer UN City Studio Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe Dr Elisabete Weiderpass, Director, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)

10:00–10:05 Welcome & Opening Remarks Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe

10:05–10:15 Key note address: Alcohol and cancer. What do we know and where do we go? Dr Elisabete Weiderpass, Director, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)

10:15-11:00 Panel Discussion: What can we do to accelerate action to prevent harm from alcohol in Europe? Policymakers and public health leaders will share insights on effective alcohol policy measures and successful implementation practices across diverse settings. Suggested panelists

• Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe • Dr Elisabete Weiderpass, Director, International Agency for Research on

Cancer (IARC) [TBC] • Ms Sophie Løhde, Minister of the Interior and Health of Denmark [TBC] • Dr Karmen Joller, Minister of Social Affairs Estonia [TBC] • Mr Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare,

European Commission [TBC] • Ms Romana Jerković Kraljić, Member of European Parliament, President

of MEPs Against Cancer interest group [TBC]

Provisional programme Page 2

11:00-11:25 Technical Q&A with experts

• Dr. Beatrice Lauby-Secretan, Head for IARC Handbooks of Cancer Prevention Programme, Deputy Head, Evidence Synthesis & Classification Branch, IARC, Lyon, France

• Dr. Susan Gapstur, Senior Visiting Scientist, Evidence Synthesis & Classification Branch, Responsible Officer for IARC Handbooks Volumes 20 A & B, IARC, Lyon, France

• Dr. Jürgen Rehm, Senior Scientist, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Chair of the Experts Group of Head of IARC Handbook Volume 20 B, Toronto, Canada

• Dr. Carina Ferreira-Borges, Regional Advisor, Alcohol Illicit Drugs and Prison Health, WHO Regional Office for Europe

• Dr. Dag Rekve, Senior Technical Officer, Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours Unit, WHO Headquarters Geneva

11:25–11:30 Closing remarks

Dr Gundo Weiler, Director, Prevention and Health Promotion, WHO Regional Office for Europe

WHO/EU Evidence into Action Alcohol Project (EVID-ACTION) Advancing Alcohol Policy for Cancer Prevention High-Level Launch of the IARC Handbook for Cancer Prevention, Volume 20b

14 October 2025, 10.00-11.30 CEST Auditorium III, UN City and online Copenhagen, Denmark

24 March 2025

Original: English

Scope and purpose Alcohol consumption is a significant public health challenge, intricately linked to a wide range of health risks, including cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified alcoholic beverages as Group 1 carcinogens, confirming the strong evidence of their role in causing several types of cancer, including those of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, liver, colorectum, and female breast. In 2020 alone, an estimated 741,300 new cancer cases globally were caused by alcohol, highlighting the urgent need for evidence-based interventions. In the EU, alcohol consumption was estimated to cause 111,300 new cancer cases in the same year, corresponding to 4.1% of all new cases.

The IARC Handbooks of Cancer Prevention provide comprehensive reviews and consensus evaluations of the evidence on the effectiveness of preventive interventions that may reduce cancer incidence or mortality. In developing these handbooks, IARC convenes independent, interdisciplinary working groups of international experts who transparently synthesize diverse streams of evidence and translate them into an overall evaluation based on established criteria. Volume 20B of the IARC Handbook of Cancer Prevention specifically focuses on alcohol policies and identifies and evaluates effective interventions and policy measures to reduce alcohol use and ultimately reduce the burden of alcohol-attributable cancers.

Recognizing the pressing need for targeted, evidence-based action, the WHO Regional Office for Europe and IARC, in a framework of the WHO/EU Evidence into Action Alcohol Project (EVID-ACTION), are organizing this high-level launch event to disseminate the handbook’s findings, emphasizing its policy relevance and practical recommendations for reducing the global cancer burden associated with alcohol.

The objectives of this high-profile event are to:

• Launch the Handbook for Cancer Prevention Volume 20B with high-level endorsement and maximum visibility.

• Maximize reach and engagement across diverse audiences, including building awareness for the Handbook at the highest level.

• Raise awareness and understanding of the link between alcohol and cancer through scientific evidence and trusted messaging.

• Catalyze political commitment and multisectoral action for stronger alcohol policies across Europe.

Scope and purpose page 2

• Provide a media-friendly platform to communicate key findings, policy recommendations, and actions of the Handbook.

The target audience of the event are national and regional policymakers, public health officials and experts, cancer prevention experts, representatives from international organizations and non- governmental organizations, researchers and academic institutions, media, journalists and communications professionals.

The event will be conducted as a hybrid event in English language. Interpretation into Russian will be provided.