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ICN congratulates Malaysian government and Malaysian Nurses Association following rollback of plans to increase nurses’ working hours
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) welcomes the news that the Malaysian government has cancelled a planned extension of working hours from 42 to 45 hours per week for nurses, following strong advocacy by the Malaysian Nurses Association (MNA).
12 September 2025
ICN Monthly Update July & August 2025
Welcome to the July & August 2025 ICN Monthly Update!
9 September 2025
ICN's new President meets WHO leaders to strengthen partnership and raise critical issues
Last week, newly-elected ICN President Dr José Luis Cobos Serrano met with the World Health Organization’s Assistant Director-General of Health Systems, Dr Yukiko Nakatani, who will oversee the newly-combined WHO Academy, Health Workforce and Nursing department as well as Chief Nursing Officer Dr. Amelia Latu Afuhaamango Tuipulotu and senior health workforce advisers.
9 September 2025
ICN letter to United Nations Secretary General calls for urgent action to end humanitarian crises and attacks on health care in conflict
In a powerful letter to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, the newly elected President of the International Council of Nurses (ICN), Dr José Luis Cobos Serrano, reiterates ICN’s calls for immediate action to end devastating attacks on health care in conflict zones and to give populations access to food, health care, and basic humanitarian needs. The letter follows new reports of attacks on health care facilities on Nasser Hospital in Gaza and medical centres in Ukraine as well as the recent declaration of famine in Gaza, with 320,000 children at immediate risk of death.
5 September 2025
World Humanitarian Day: ICN deplores record number of attacks against humanitarian workers
On World Humanitarian Day, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) has expressed its horror for the continuing rise in fatalities of health care workers.
19 August 2025
World Humanitarian Day: Health professionals on the brink as conflicts intensify
On World Humanitarian Day, WHPA, which represents 42 million health professionals, together with humanitarian organizations is sounding the alarm: life-saving health services—already underfunded and overstretched—are facing unprecedented pressure as conflicts intensify, targeted attacks on health facilities multiply, and funding is cut.
19 August 2025
Madagascar joins ICN as 141st National Nursing Association member
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is proud to announce that the Conseil de l'Ordre National des Infirmiers de Madagascar (CONIM) has officially joined ICN’s federation, bringing the total membership to over 140 national nursing associations (NNA) worldwide. This marks an important step forward for the global nursing community.
14 August 2025
ICN joins 48 million health professionals calling for inclusion of health care in global plastics treaty
As negotiations to finalize a major global treaty to end plastic pollution begin this week, the International Council of Nurses has joined with Health Care Without Harm and major health groups to demand strong commitments to limit plastic use and protect all people from plastic-related health harms, with special considerations rather than exemptions for the health sector, in an open letter.
7 August 2025
The power of nursing can defend against global health and infectious disease crises, says ICN CEO
ICN's CEO Howard Catton opened yesterday’s 7th International Global Network of Public Health Nursing (GNPHN) Conference in Calgary, Canada with a clear message: nurses must harness their power to address the world’s biggest health challenges — and they must be enabled with investment and policy that supports a strong, sustainable health workforce.
31 July 2025
Celebrating Dr Kristine Qureshi and the impact of Leadership for Change
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) celebrates the work of Dr Kristine Qureshi, who has recently retired from her role as Lead Trainer for the ICN Leadership for Change (LFC) programme, where she contributed years of dedicated service and made a significant impact on nursing leadership worldwide.
30 July 2025
International Council of Nurses response to worsening situation in Middle East
In response to the severe humanitarian crisis and widespread starvation escalating rapidly throughout Gaza, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) urgently calls on all governments and relevant authorities to facilitate immediate and unimpeded aid and humanitarian access to the region.
25 July 2025
ICN Chief Executive awarded Honorary Doctorate by Brunel University for global nursing leadership
Brunel University today conferred International Council of Nurses (ICN) CEO Howard Catton with an honorary Doctorate of Science in recognition of his exceptional contributions to nursing and education.
18 July 2025