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ICN's UNGA 80 side event elevated nurse leadership in global health policy
Held in partnership with New York University’s Rory Myers College of Nursing, the International Council of Nurses’ (ICN) side event at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80) brought a week of impactful nursing advocacy to a powerful close.
2 October 2025
ICN mourns the death of Palestinian nursing leader and calls for urgent protection of health workers in Gaza and other conflict-affected areas
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is deeply saddened by the death of Dr Mohammed Akram Al-Kafarneh, a leader of the Palestinian Nursing Association in Gaza. He is among hundreds of nurses and health workers who have tragically lost their lives during this conflict.
26 September 2025
Invest in health workforce to win global fight against NCDs, says WHPA
The World Health Professions Alliance (WHPA) is warning governments that commitments made at the UN High-Level Meeting (HLM) on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health will fail unless countries urgently invest in their health workforce. Leaders from WHPA member organizations are attending the 4th HLM on NCDs taking place at UN Headquarters in New York on 25 September 2025.
25 September 2025
ICN brings strong messages on nursing and global health workforce action to this week’s UN General Assembly
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) brings the nursing voice to this week’s United Nations 80th General Assembly (UNGA 80) in New York. ICN is advocating for urgent action to address shortages and strengthen the world’s nursing and health workforce as the only way to achieve the UN’s major health goals, including crucial targets to reduce noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
23 September 2025
ICN launches Nurse Leadership for Crisis Response and Recovery programme supporting Ukraine’s nurses
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) has officially launched the pilot version of the Nurse Leadership for Crisis Response and Recovery (NLCRR) programme, the latest in its efforts to promote and support leadership development as critical to building nursing capacity and strengthening workforces.
19 September 2025
New WHO report highlights urgency of NCD solutions — but overlooks the vital role of nurses and the health workforce
In advance of next week’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs), the World Health Organization (WHO) today released an important new report, “Saving lives, spending less: the global investment case for noncommunicable diseases”. ICN welcomed the report’s urgent focus on preventive measures, but raised concerns about a significant gap: the lack of recognition of nurses and the health workforce as mission-critical to all of these action areas.
18 September 2025
#NursesforPeace: Emergency programme to support nurses in Gaza and the West Bank
With the support of Direct Relief, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and the Palestinian Nursing and Midwifery Association (PNMA) have launched an emergency programme to help provide support to nurses in Gaza and the West Bank, in response to the reports of famine and the high cost of food. This initiative provides direct financial support to over 1,200 nurses.
18 September 2025
ICN calls for urgent investment to support safer care for all children on World Patient Safety Day 2025
On World Patient Safety Day 2025, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) joins the World Health Organization (WHO) and global health partners to call for urgent investment in safe, child-centred care for every newborn and young person worldwide.
17 September 2025
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