The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary driver of cervical cancer and contributes to more than six other types of cancer. These diseases are largely preventable through vaccination and organised screening, yet progress across Southeast Europe remains uneven. Vaccine hesitancy, fragmented screening systems and limited public awareness continue to slow implementation.

Building on the success of  ‘A Shared Vision for South East Europe: Eliminating HPV Cancers Together’ held in Sofia last year, this upcoming meeting will support countries as they move from political commitments to tangible action. Discussions will focus on how to increase participation in cervical cancer screening and improve HPV vaccination uptake.

We will present the new ECO Good Practice Guide on HPV Vaccination and the ‘Closing the Gaps’ report from the European Cancer Summit last November. The report analyses cervical cancer screening systems across Europe and highlights inequalities in access and participation. The discussion will also reference insights from the HPV Prevention Policy Atlas, a benchmarking tool mapping HPV vaccination policies and coverage across Europe to support accountability and progress.