Global Albinism Alliance, the International League of Dermatological Societies, and Standing Voice Unite to Host Inaugural World Forum on Skin Cancer

Cape Town, South Africa - October 27, 2025

Today marks the launch of the first-ever World Forum on Skin Cancer Prevention and Management in Persons with Albinism, organised by the Global Albinism Alliance (GAA), the International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS) and Standing Voice (SV). This landmark two-day, in-person gathering, taking place on 27-28 October 2025 at the Westin, Cape Town unites dermatologists, epidemiologists, public health and human rights experts, policymakers, industry representatives and patient advocates from around the world to confront one of the most pressing health challenges facing persons with albinism: preventable skin cancer.

For further information, please contact:
ross@albinismalliance.org  

High-resolution images, interviews, and details of the Cape Town Forum are available upon request.

Persons with albinism, a genetic condition affecting pigmentation, face an extraordinarily high risk of skin cancer due to extreme sun sensitivity, with rates up to 1,000 times higher than the general population in sun-intense regions like sub-Saharan Africa. The Forum arrives at a pivotal moment, building on the World Health Organization's (WHO) recent groundbreaking decision to include sunscreen on the Essential Medicines List (EML) and Essential Medicines List for Children (EMLc). This event will serve as a global catalyst for action, quantifying the burden of skin cancer in albinism communities, forging evidence-based strategies for prevention and early detection, and accelerating the rollout of intervention programs to save lives and reduce lifelong suffering.

"Albinism is not just a matter of appearance, it's a daily battle against deadly skin cancers that claim far too many lives prematurely," said Antoine Gliksohn, Executive Director of the Global Albinism Alliance. "This Forum marks a historic step forward, transforming global awareness into tangible action. By convening the world's leading minds in dermatology and advocacy, we and our co-hosts are not only honoring the WHO's sunscreen milestone but also paving the way for equitable access to life-saving protections everywhere."

The Forum's agenda features high-impact sessions on epidemiological data, innovative screening strategies, policy advocacy for sunscreen affordability, and community-led education campaigns. Key highlights include keynote presentations by WHO and IARC representatives on cancer research and global programs for neglected skin diseases, interactive workshops on UV protection in low-resource settings, and a patient panel sharing lived experiences from Africa, Latin America, and beyond. With some 80 delegates expected from more than 30 countries, the event fosters cross-sector collaborations to monitor skin cancer incidence and scale up intervention.

“The ILDS is proud to co-host the first global forum dedicated to this important issue,” said Professor Henry W. Lim, President of the ILDS. “Our discussions will help focus efforts on understanding and monitoring the burden of skin cancer, with the ultimate goal of advancing global intervention programmes to reduce its impact on the lives of persons with albinism.”

Organized with a commitment to inclusivity and collaboration, the Forum prioritizes voices from affected communities, including youth leaders and survivors, to drive patient-centered outcomes. Its success is made possible by the generous sponsorship of the Pierre Fabre Foundation, whose support underscores the private sector's vital role in advancing dermatological equity.

"Persons with albinism have long been invisibile in global health dialogues, until now," said Harry Freeland, Executive Director of Standing Voice. "As co-hosts of this Forum, we are uniting global leaders and local expertise to champion rights-based solutions. Together, we have the tools to end the skin cancer crisis, but urgent, coordinated action is needed. This Forum provides the platform to turn evidence into practice, define best approaches, and build a global action plan, so sunlight no longer means danger, and dignity and opportunity are within reach for all.”

About the Global Albinism Alliance (GAA)

The Global Albinism Alliance (GAA) is a non-profit world federation representing over 250 associations of persons with albinism and NGOs serving the albinism community across 50+ countries. As the unified voice of the global albinism community, the GAA is committed to empowering, protecting, and securing equal rights for individuals with albinism worldwide. Addressing challenges like discrimination, marginalization, and physical harm, the GAA works to transform societal attitudes and create a world where the albinism community can thrive.

About the International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS)

The ILDS represents more than 231 member societies in 110 countries, representing more than 200,000 dermatologists worldwide. Holding official relations status with the World Health Organization, the ILDS advocates for skin health inclusion in global health policy and leads on education, clinical care, research, and innovation.

About Standing Voice

Standing Voice is an international human rights organization focused on upholding the rights of persons with albinism, particularly in Africa. Through advocacy, legal support, and community empowerment, it fights discrimination and promotes health security.

About the Pierre Fabre Foundation

The Pierre Fabre Foundation supports innovative projects in dermatology, oncology, and access to care, with a focus on vulnerable populations worldwide. Its sponsorship reflects a commitment to ethical, impactful philanthropy in global health.