Welcome to the July & August 2025 ICN Monthly Update!

We are pleased to offer a summary of our endeavors, achievements, and notable events from the past month. We invite you to explore the latest developments, discoveries, and highlights within our community. Thank you for choosing to stay informed and engaged with us through our Monthly Update!

FfD4 and BRICS summits

ICN welcomes the agreements to strengthen health and development funding and revitalize multilateralism and global solidarity that emerged from two pivotal meetings: the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), which concluded on 2 July 2025, and the BRICS summit of the eleven largest emerging economies, which ended on 7 July. While these gatherings signal a welcome return to multilateral cooperation, we emphasize that stronger commitments to investment in the health workforce are needed to deliver on their ambitious health and development goals. Read more here!

WHPA urges WHO to maintain strong leadership on health workforce

The WHPA leadership is demanding that WHO continue to provide support and investment in the health workforce despite recent funding cuts and organizational restructuring. They are deeply concerned about the shake-up at WHO which has left the Health Workforce Department severely reduced in size and subsumed under the WHO Academy, WHO’s newly established learning provider. WHPA is advocating against WHO de-prioritizing health workforce issues and the disastrous results it would have for health professionals around the world. Read the letter here & read the full article here!

Virtual academic exchange Enfermería y ambientes saludables

On 14 August, ICN Nursing & Health Policy Analyst, Gill Adynski, joined the virtual academic exchange “Enfermería y ambientes saludables” hosted by Alliance for Nurses for Healthy Environments Latinoamérica, a network of nurses advancing health and environmental sustainability. We contributed by sharing ways for individuals to engage in ICN’s climate work and listened to key perspectives on climate and health considerations specific to the Latin American region. We also shared information about our recent topic brief on planetary health and our recent position statement on climate change.

Howard Catton awarded Honorary Doctorate by Brunel University for global nursing leadership

Brunel University conferred ICN CEO Howard Catton with an honorary Doctorate of Science in recognition of his exceptional contributions to nursing and education. Brunel’s oration praised Mr Catton’s leadership throughout his nursing career, in particular commending his pivotal role advocating for and co-chairing both the first-ever WHO State of the World’s Nursing (SOWN) Report in 2020 and the second SOWN report released earlier this year. The university also recognized his efforts to establish ICN’s #NursesforPeace initiative, which provides urgent health and humanitarian support to nurses in conflict and disaster zones. Read more here!

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, we urgently call on all governments and relevant authorities to facilitate immediate and unimpeded aid and humanitarian access to the region. Alarming reports of widespread severe malnutrition, preventable deaths, and impending famine risks demand urgent action. Civilians, especially vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and those with chronic illnesses, lack access to vital supplies, sanitation and hygiene necessities, and basic health services as well as food and clean water. Food distribution centres have become sites of attacks, with mass casualties and deaths reported. Read more here.

Celebrating Dr Kristine Qureshi and the impact of Leadership for Change

We are proud to celebrate 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. During her tenure, Dr Qureshi led initiatives to train more than 1,500 nurses in countries across regions including Europe, Asia, South and Central America, and the Eastern Mediterranean, expanding and strengthening the LFC programme as a cornerstone of global nursing leadership development. Read more here!

The power of nursing can defend against global health and infectious disease crises, says ICN CEO

ICN CEO Howard Catton opened the 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. The Canadian province of Alberta, where Calgary is located, is currently experiencing its worst year of measles since 1970, and Mr Catton highlighted the importance of nurse leadership in vaccination efforts to curb the resurgence of infectious disease around the world. Read more here!

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, we 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. This blanket exemption is counterproductive and would only limit innovation and sustainable practice in health care. The WHO also supports removal of the full-scale exemption for health care and has instead called for health care to be afforded special consideration in the treaty. Read more here!

Madagascar joins ICN as 141st National Nursing Association member

We are 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. ICN President Dr José Luis Cobos Serrano welcomed CONIM, highlighting the significance of this new partnership. We are confident CONIM will bring a valuable perspective and a lasting impact to our collective efforts to elevate nursing and improve health policies. The incorporation of this new NNA allows us to strengthen the representation of nurses at a global level and increase our vision. Read more here!

Call for nominations: ICN Congress 2027 - Scientific Committee member

We invite nominations for members of the Scientific Committee for the upcoming ICN Congress 2027 in Taipei. This Committee plays a pivotal role in ensuring the scientific integrity, relevance, and excellence of the Congress scientific programme. We seek individuals with demonstrated expertise in nursing practice, research, education, or policy, who are committed to advancing the profession and contributing to the success of the ICN Congress. Members will meet monthly to provide strategic input on themes, speakers, session formats, and abstract selection, ensuring the programme reflects current evidence, emerging trends, and international perspectives.

The eligibility criteria for Scientific Committee members are:

Professional status: Registered nurse.

Membership status: Member of an ICN National Nursing Association (NNA) in good standing.

Education: Master’s degree or higher in nursing or a related healthcare field.

Research contribution: At least two peer-reviewed publications in reputable journals.

Nominations may be submitted via the online form below. Self-nominations are welcome. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation, or any other aspect of identity. Each submission should include the nominee’s CV and a brief statement outlining their qualifications and motivation. Submit your nomination here!

Embedding the New Global Definitions of Nursing and a Nurse

With the new global definitions now endorsed, we are focused on embedding them into practice, policy and workforce systems worldwide. Work is underway to translate the definitions into multiple languages to ensure accessibility and cultural relevance across regions. We are also working with partners to align workforce and education classifications and strengthen data collection, building a more accurate global evidence base. Importantly, the definitions will support fairer approaches to nurse migration, helping to improve conditions and equity for nurses working across borders. These initiatives ensure the definitions become a living framework that advances nursing worldwide. Read more here!

Florence Nightingale Museum call for case studies

The Florence Nightingale Museum in London is calling for case studies to demonstrate how nurses have significantly influenced modern hospital design. These case studies will be used in an upcoming temporary exhibition, entitled Healing Spaces, which will open in November 2025 and will expand on the Museum’s permanent collection by exploring Nightingale’s influence on health care design and bring it up to modern day by highlighting current pioneers in the field. The Museum is particularly looking for case studies from outside the UK and USA. If you would like to learn more or if you have an idea for a case study, please reach out directly to Laura Sharpe, Museum Manager, at [email protected] by mid-September.

As ODENNA Africa enters its final closing phase, we celebrate the remarkable work of the participating NNAs. From national training programmes to impactful advocacy and digital outreach, the results are impressive and continue to grow. We extend our sincere thanks to the NAMI mentors who contributed richly to this journey and to the teams whose dedication and hard work has impacted tens of thousands of nurses across Africa. As we continue to gather inspiring impact data and success stories from the past three-plus years of ODENNA in Africa, we look forward to sharing these achievements with you as valued members and the broader ICN network in the months ahead.

We are five weeks away from the start of the residential module of GNLI 2025. During this immersive week, scholars will have the unique opportunity of engaging in discussion with WHO officials, UN representatives, ambassadors, and ICN colleagues. This year, key discussions will focus on Universal Health Coverage, Leadership in Crisis, and Messaging & Media, as well as many other pressing topics in nursing and policy development. Following this immersive week, scholars will be well equipped to start working on their regional projects.

We are excited to welcome this 2025 cohort and look forward to sharing their testimonials with you in the near future.

The NLCRR Programme kicked off with a Welcome Call on 5 August 2025. During the session, participants were introduced to the programme objectives, key partners, and the training journey ahead. Since then, 25 mid-career and senior nurses from across Ukraine have joined the training platform and commenced the pre-learning phase.

The Official Launch Meeting will take place online on 8 September, with special guests and opening remarks from ICN CEO Howard Catton. Following that, participants will gather for an in-person workshop in Kyiv at the end of October, followed by mastermind group learning sessions through December to strengthen leadership and collaboration.

Humanitarian Programmes

We continue our successful collaboration with Direct Relief following their full and active engagement at Congress and their generous donation of $100,000 to support ICN’s Humanitarian work. In Ethiopia, through the ENA, Direct Relief is onboarding two hospitals in conflict-affected regions to receive medical supplies. The JNMC in Jordan is discussing a project to provide prosthetic limbs to patients in Gaza. Kenya’s NNAK aims to enhance disaster preparedness by strengthening rural supply chains. In Mauritania, Direct Relief and the NNA are working with the Ministry of Health to improve access to essential medication. Somaliland will receive midwife kits and emergency backpacks for rural health centres, while Sudan’s NNA is exploring emergency pack delivery for its response team. Read more of our work here!

NP/APN - Call for Abstracts Deadline Approaching

Share your expertise at the 2026 ICN NP/APN Network Conference in Nashville, TN, USA, in September 2026. Be part of this exciting networking and learning event, Advanced Practice Nurses: United for Global Impact, Innovation, and Care. You are invited to submit abstracts showcasing your work in practice, policy, research, education, leadership, regulation, technology or student engagement. Podium and poster presentations are both sought. The abstract submission deadline is 1 October 2025. Learn more here!

UNGA

We are pleased co-host a special event with NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing: Shaping Global Health Policy Through Nursing Leadership: Partnerships and Solutions for a Healthier World. This event will be held in parallel with the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80) and the Fourth High-level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases (HLM4) in New York City.

Date: Saturday, 27 September 2025
Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM (UTC/GMT-4)
Location: NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY 10010

Registration is now open!

World Humanitarian Day

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.

Health systems that should serve as a lifeline, and the health professionals who deliver care, are instead being pushed to the brink. Armed conflicts are escalating, living and working conditions for those providing aid are deteriorating, and attacks on health and humanitarian personnel are reaching record highs—costing lives and crippling the ability to respond. Read more here!

SafeVaccine Administration 

Springer Nature is proud to announce their new book, Safe Vaccine Administration: Practical Guidelines for and by Nurses and Midwives It is accessible via most universities and the RCN for members.

International nurse migration: implications for the New Zealand nursing workforce

A new report from the Nursing Council of New Zealand, authored by Jim Buchan, provides valuable insight into how nurses from the Philippines and India are increasingly using New Zealand as a “stepping stone” to Australia, facilitated by the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement.  While this may appear to be a regional workforce issue, it highlights a far larger challenge: how migration policies and recognition systems are struggling to keep pace with today’s health labour markets. We are working to address this through our new global Definition of Nursing, regulatory framework development, and engagement with the WTO, ILO and WHO, we are advocating for migration systems that are ethical, transparent, and grounded in strong regulation. Read the full report here!