Welcome to the October & November 2025 ICN Monthly Update!

We are pleased to offer a summary of our endeavors, achievements, and notable events. 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!

Africa

The final meetings for ODENNA drew to a close, with teams across Africa sharing impressive outcomes from their locally led initiatives. One notable example comes from Togo, where Dissoba Hounadeba Kolme, President of the National Association of Nurses of Togo, shared that through ODENNA, Togo developed its first-ever strategic and operational plans, resulting in a clear roadmap to guide future activities and ensure sustainable progress.

Latin America

Nearly 300 participants joined the ODENNA: Growing Nursing Leadership from Africa to LATAM webinar celebrating the achievements of ODENNA Africa and announcing the program’s expansion into Latin America. Speakers included Madeleine Mukeshimana, 1st Vice President of the Rwanda Nurses and Midwives Union, and Roxana Hainagiu, Head of External Affairs and Communication for the Order of Nurses, Midwives and Medical Assistants in Romania, along with remarks from the ICN President and CEO and program sponsors, BD and Johnson & Johnson. 

Watch the webinar recording, explore project highlights from all ODENNA Africa teams, and learn how to get involved through mentorship, partnership, or sponsorship here. 

The residential module of the Global Nursing Leadership Institute (GNLI) 2025 was marked by exceptional success. The intensive programme afforded scholars valuable opportunities to engage directly with key leaders in the field of global nursing. Scholars met with representatives from WHO, including Chief Nurse Dr Amelia Lato Tuipulotu. Notable keynote speakers included Howard Catton, and Dame Christine Beasley, former Chief Nursing Officer for England, sharing their expertise and insights into leadership and advocacy within the nursing profession.

The GNLI 2025 cohort recently presented their regional projects to senior nursing leaders and mentors, addressing major global priorities:

• PAHO – Charting advanced practice nursing within Caribbean primary care;
• AFRO – Evaluating leadership development needs across Sub-Saharan Africa;
• WPRO – Enhancing regional nursing leadership capabilities;
• EURO – Investigating nurse retention strategies tailored to different age groups;
• EMRO – Analyzing occupational health laws impacting nurse wellbeing;
• SEARO – Creating mental health guidelines for nurses.

Applications are now open for the GNLI 2026 cohort. Interested candidates can apply by clicking here.

For further details on regional projects or how to apply for the 2026 cohort, please reach out to [email protected].

The second phase of the Nursing Leadership in Crisis Response and Recovery (NLCRR) programme, made possible through the support of Nurse For Peace, recently took place in Kyiv. The intensive week-long NLCRR training was facilitated by Dr Andrew Scanlon. The opening days were marked by the involvement of Howard Catton, who contributed his perspectives and joined a panel discussion on the theme of "leadership presence". The programme also benefited from the input of representatives from the WHO Country Office of Ukraine, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the Centre for Nursing Development, the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, and several local hospitals.

Building on this progress, the programme has transitioned to Online Mastermind Groups. These sessions provide a safe, encouraging environment for participants to reflect on leadership challenges, share their experiences, and learn together. We anticipate even greater achievements in upcoming sessions.

The LFC™ programme continues to grow through the unwavering commitment of ICN members who deliver our meaningful workshops. Through their involvement, participants are not only strengthening their leadership skills but also contributing to the advancement of health care delivery and patient outcomes.

We wish to express our sincere appreciation to the dedicated teams in Bangladesh, Korea, Mauritius, Norway, Seychelles, Suriname, and Taiwan for their ongoing participation and demonstration of leadership in action. Additionally, preparations are underway in India and Cambodia, where new LFC workshops will soon take place, signalling the continued expansion of the programme in these regions.

During October and November, ICN made substantial strides in advancing humanitarian and health initiatives worldwide.

In South Sudan, collaboration with SSNAMA and Direct Relief addressed critical medicine shortages at Al Sabah Hospital, secured lifesaving insulin for children, and supported maternity and reproductive health projects through the delivery of essential kits.

In Sudan, planning for the Sudan Excellency Centre moved forward, focusing on strengthening nursing education, developing simulation labs, and integrating WHO’s Basic Emergency Care.

 Emergency aid continued in Gaza and the West Bank, ensuring nurses had the supplies they needed to care for patients in challenging conditions.

In Mauritania, ICN began working with national leaders and Direct Relief to enhance medical and disaster preparedness.

Meanwhile, in Chile, engagement with the national nurses association tackled pressing issues such as migration-related health challenges, rural healthcare gaps, and climate risks.

Following Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka, ICN partnered with local nurses to assess urgent needs and lay the groundwork for long-term recovery efforts.

We are working on an update to cover all our #NursesforPeace work, which will be available on our website in the next few weeks.

ICN Board Meeting

The ICN Board met on 25-27 November in Geneva to review strategy and operational plans for the next two years, approve the 2026 financial budget and review 2025 operational and financial results. Board members engaged in detailed discussions to identify priorities for 2026, in line with ICN’s 2024-2028 strategic plan and the evolving needs of nursing globally. Updates were presented on nursing practice, communications, leadership development, and digital transformation, with a strong focus on innovation and impact.

The Board also selected and approved the theme for International Nurses Day (IND) 2026, which will now be developed and announced by ICN’s media team. In addition, Board subcommittees presented their priorities and work plans for the coming year.

ICN supports American Nurses Association in warning against limiting graduate nursing education funding

The ICN Board expressed its deep concern around proposals from the U.S. Department of Education to remove nursing from the list of recognized professional degrees eligible for full federal loan support. ICN supports the American Nurses Association (ANA) position in opposing this reclassification, which would severely restrict the loan and loan-forgiveness options available to graduate and advanced practice nursing students, with significant negative implications for both the nursing workforce and patients’ access to health care. Read more here.

ICN recognized in major UN Special Rapporteur report delivered to UN General Assembly

The UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng, featured ICN's work in her report’s “Good Practices”, demonstrating ICN's impact at the highest levels of global policy. She noted the #NursesforPeace campaign providing humanitarian resources, mental health support, and leadership training in crisis zones as well as ICN's Caring with Courage film series for increasing visibility of nurses' roles in addressing global health challenges. The report names health workers as “defenders of the right to health” and reinforced key ICN messages by calling for sustained investment in health worker protection, fair remuneration, and addressing inequitable migration that creates workforce shortages in low-income countries. These messages were echoed by several country representatives at the UN General Assembly discussion of the report.

International Labour Organization (ILO) meeting

On 25 November, we reinforced our commitment to collaborating with high-level international institutions by meeting with the International Labour Organization (ILO). ICN President José Luis Cobos, Vice Presidents Sineva Maria Ribeiro and Megumi Yamaura-Teshima, and CEO Howard Catton engaged with ILO leaders to address nurses’ working conditions, the classification of our profession, and the wider ratification of Convention 149. The discussion also focused on ensuring decent work, tackling workplace violence and harassment, and sharing ICN’s new definition of nursing to inform future frameworks.

WTO Council for Trade in Services

On 2 October, ICN CEO Howard Catton took part in a thematic session of the WTO Council for Trade in Services. The session convened experts from international organizations and industry bodies to discuss the recognition of professional qualifications in global services trade. Howard contributed the nursing profession’s perspective, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges in facilitating international recognition.

FEMCE Congress

On 3–4 October, ICN president José Luis Cobos Serrano travelled to Ciudad de León, Mexico, to attend the FEMCE Congress. He delivered remarks at the Opening Ceremony and presented a keynote address titled “The Importance of ICN and Its Connection with NNAs.” During his visit, he held strategic meetings with presidents of professional associations to emphasize the value of unified membership and collaboration. He also engaged with national representatives to exchange proposals aimed at improving nurses’ working conditions.

Interprofessional Collaboration Symposium

On 7 October, Howard participated in the Interprofessional Collaboration Symposium at the FIGO World Congress in Cape Town. The event, organized by UNFPA, FIGO, Jhpiego, PMNCH, and AlignMNH, focused on advancing team-based, collaborative approaches in health care and addressing barriers to effective interprofessional practice.

Second anniversary of the 7 October attacks in Gaza

On the solemn anniversary of the 7 October attacks and kidnappings in Israel, we remembered the lives lost, those still missing, and the countless families and communities who endure ongoing pain and uncertainty, and welcomed the renewed peace negotiations in the Middle East. Peace is not only possible, it is essential for the health and well-being of all people. In line with the recent resolution by ICN’s governing body unequivocally condemning attacks on health care personnel, we once again call for the protection of nurses and all health workers in conflict zones.

We welcomed the ceasefire on 10 October in the Middle East and urged all parties on both sides of the conflict to seize this opportunity to end the cycle of violence and build a future founded on justice, dignity, and mutual respect. Peace is not only possible, it is essential for the health and well-being of all people.

Read the full story here.

Web talk on the new ICN definitions (Pflege neu definiert)

On 9 October, José Luis participated in a webinar hosted by the three German-speaking professional associations SBK, DBfK, and ÖGKV to present the translation of the Definitions of Nursing to their members. This web talk delved into how these terms shape self-image, actions, and the visibility of nursing.

You can find the German language report here. 

Global Uptake of ICN’s New Definitions of Nursing and a Nurse

Since endorsement in June 2025, ICN’s new Definitions of ‘Nursing' and of 'a Nurse' have gained strong global traction. Beyond the three official ICN languages (English, Spanish and French), translations are now available in Greek, Italian, German and Japanese. 

The Japanese Nursing Association has published the translation and featured it in a national article supported by ICN Vice-President Megumi Teshima, promoting wider adoption across Japan.

The Australian Government has also published the definitions on its Department of Health and Aged Care website, marking one of the first government-level adoptions.

National Nursing Associations worldwide are now embedding the definitions in education, regulatory, and policy frameworks, reinforcing nursing’s identity as an educated, ethical, and regulated profession.

The New Definitions of ‘Nursing' and 'a Nurse' and Scope of Practice

Following the endorsement of the 2025 ICN Definition of 'Nursing' and of 'a Nurse', the ICN is developing a Scope of Practice Framework to support clearer, more consistent articulation of nursing roles. The Framework will be designed to clarify professional, individual, expanded, specialist and advanced scopes of practice, and to support safe, lawful and appropriate decision-making in diverse contexts. Expert Advisory Groups have been convened to ensure the Framework reflects contemporary nursing practice, strengthens regulatory coherence and supports workforce sustainability. The Framework will provide a shared reference point for regulators, educators, employers and National Nursing Associations as nursing roles continue to evolve globally.

World Mental Health Day

We marked World Mental Health Day on 10 October, and shared several key resources highlighting the urgent need to protect nurses’ health and wellbeing and the vital role nurses play in bringing mental health care to all people. These included ICN’s Guidelines on Mental Health Nursing; ICN’s recent Nursing Policy Webinar on nurses' mental health and well-being; and the "Caring with Courage" film series showcasing nurses' courage, compassion, and innovation addressing physical and mental health challenges worldwide.

European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery Association Conference

At the European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery Association conference on 15 October, ICN leadership addressed nurses' mental health challenges. ICN President José Luis Cobos Serrano delivered opening remarks, including a powerful "a call to action" that emphasized nurses and midwives' representation of leadership, care, science, and humanity. ICN CEO Howard Catton presented key data supporting urgent action to address nurses' mental health, highlighting the need to tackle root causes through safe, decent, supportive working conditions.

International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP) conference

On 21 October, Howard spoke at the International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP) conference in Amsterdam. He delivered a forward-looking address on the future of the global health workforce, emphasizing the evolving role of nurses and specialization in 2025. He also joined a panel discussion on the policy value of the pediatric oncology nursing workforce.

9th International Conference of Health Professionals Education (ICHPE)

On 25 October, José Luis participated in a symposium for nursing professionals held during the joint conferences of the 9th (ICHPE) and the 1st International Conference of Nursing & Midwifery, organized by the University of Lahore, Pakistan.

ICN Alliance of Student and Early Career Nurses (ICN SECN Alliance)

Kristoffer Haugen, ICN SECN Alliance Steering Committee Representative for the European Region, was invited to speak at the annual meeting of the student nurses in Sweden - Vårdförbundet Student. Elphas Muricho, ICN SECN Alliance Steering Committee Deputy Chair and Representative for the African Region spoke at the Annual Scientific Conference of the Kenya Students and Novice Nurses (KESNNUR) chapter, under the National Nurses Association of Kenya.

Both our representatives highlighted the ICN SECN Alliance’s global efforts to empower and connect young nurses driving change in health care worldwide and the importance of student and early career nurse engagement, having a unified SECN voice internationally.

Members of the SECN Alliance have also actively contributed to the Empowering Students and Early Career Nurses: Opportunities for Global Engagement and Collaboration webinar, hosted by the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing Center for Global Initiatives and the Global Alliance for Nursing and Midwifery, and participated in the UHC Day Youth Workshop, ensuring that the perspectives of student and early career nurses were represented in discussions focused on advancing universal health coverage. Their engagement contributed to broader youth dialogue on equitable access, community-centred approaches, and the role of the nursing workforce in strengthening primary health care and health systems globally. In addition, the SECN Alliance participated in the ICN webinar on prioritizing nurses’ health and wellbeing, which featured contributions from our Japanese representative, Yuyu Sumiya.

Read more about our SECN Alliance here.

Saudi Ministry of Defence Health Services (MODHS) Division’s International Nursing Congress

The ICN President was invited to speak at the MODHS Division’s International Nursing Congress, on 2-4 November, held under the theme “Beyond the Buzzwords: Leading Nursing Through Real Transformation, Not Just Change.” During his visit, he met with the leaders of the Saudi Nurses Association, who shared updates on national nursing initiatives and discussed potential areas of collaboration with ICN.

Young Nurses Congress of the DBfK

On 5 November Howard participated in the Young Nurses Congress of the German Nurses Association (DBfK) on the occasion of German Nurses Day 2025. The Junge Pflege Kongress was planned by vocational trainees, students and beginners in nursing of the German Nurses Association and is part of the Deutsche Pflegetag, the Germany’s biggest congress relating to nursing.

Greetings for events of Latin American Institutions

José Luis represented ICN across Latin America by delivering greetings and messages at major nursing education and health congresses, including ALADEFE’s 18th Ibero-American Conference in Peru, the First International Nursing Congress on digital transformation at Universidad Científica del Sur, and PUCE’s Central Conference in Ecuador, highlighting ICN’s strategic role in advancing innovation, ethics, and humanism in nursing care.

SINMAC – Abu Dhabi

José Luis was also invited to deliver a keynote address at the 11th SEHA International Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Conference (SINMAC) on 8 November, Abu Dhabi

FEPPEN Convention

The President participated in the Pan American Federation of Nursing Professionals (FEPPEN) Convention, delivering a keynote on “Global Situation of Nursing: Investing in the Workforce for Health, Equity and Economic Development.” He also met with Government Chief Nursing Officers and nursing students from the region.  The Legislative Assembly of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Alerj) held a Solemn Session in honour of the FEPPEN members. The ceremony brought together national and international authorities. Read more here.

IEN Global Convention

On 15 November, José Luis delivered the opening remarks at the IEN Global Convention, hosted by the Society of Internationally Educated Nurses in North America (SIENNA), where he encouraged internationally educated nurses across the globe. In recognition of his exceptional contributions, he was conferred the title of Honorary Fellow of the Fellowship of the Society of Internationally Educated Nurses (FSIEN), the highest distinction awarded by SIENNA.

IAPO Congress

Howard was also invited to join a panel discussion on “Making universal health coverage work for patients',  at the IAPO Congress held on 17 November in Manila.           

8th Cross-Strait, Hong Kong & Macau Nursing Research Conference

José Luis sent some remarks to the 8th Cross-Strait, Hong Kong & Macau Nursing Research Conference, hosted by the Taiwan Nurses Association (TWNA) with the theme “Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies.”

COP30

ICN brought the critical voice of nursing to COP30 in Belém, Brazil, 10–21 November 2025. While the conference fell short on essential climate commitments, we successfully advocated for nurses' central role in climate action, represented in person by ICN Policy Analyst Dr Gill Adynski. A significant milestone was WHO's COP30 report which acknowledged ICN's work on climate and disaster preparedness and recognized nurses as being “at the forefront of responding to climate-related health threats”.

ICN contributed to a Global Climate and Health Alliance Press Release critiquing COP30’s failure to make clear and sufficient commitments to phase out fossil fuels, and a statement by the World Health Professions Alliance (WHPA) welcoming the Belém Health Action Plan’s strong focus on strengthening the health workforce. Read more about the statement here.

23rd Asia Workforce Forum and AWFF, Beijing

ICN and the Chinese Nursing Association co-hosted the 23rd Asia Workforce Forum in Beijing, where Asia's nursing leaders gathered to exchange insights about nursing in the region and identify concrete pathways for change.

Representatives from 13 national and regional nursing associations collectively representing nearly 14 million nurses came together, warning of a critical gap between global workforce commitments and national implementation and endorsing a Communiqué setting forth strategic actions to address the most pressing nursing workforce issues.

Prior to the Forum, Howard spoke at the Chinese Nursing Association’s annual academic conference, under the theme ‘Technology Empowerment for Better Health’ setting the tone for discussions on technological innovations in health care. Read more here.

ICN’s Megumi Yamaura-Teshima brings the voice of nursing to World Prevention of Nuclear War Congress in Nagasaki

ICN Second Vice President called for global nuclear disarmament and highlighted nurses’ leadership in peace building at the 24th World Congress of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), held under the theme “A World Without Nuclear Weapons – Nagasaki as the last A-bombed city.”

Read more about this important intervention here.

ICN's World Health Assembly report underscores impact of nursing leadership in shaping global health policy

We have released our official report on this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA), highlighting a major moment of nursing impact in 2025 and demonstrating how nurses are essential to every pillar of global health at a time when the world faces major health, economic, and humanitarian challenges. Held in May, the WHA brought together global leaders to confront critical health issues from pandemic preparedness to addressing health workforce shortages to accelerating progress on universal health coverage (UHC) and ensuring sustainable funding of the World Health Organization (WHO). Read more here.

Bridging Global Health Agendas: NCDs, AMR, and Interprofessional Collaboration

WHPA’s latest interprofessional webinar tackled the often overlooked connections between NCDs and AMR. UN member states have backed major, but separate, commitments to tackle both issues at recent High-Level Meetings (at the UN General Assembly held in September each year). At this webinar we asked how those commitments overlap and how interprofessional collaboration can help put them into action. Over 520 participants joined us for the webinar, with strong attendance right to the end, demonstrating how engaging the speakers were. Audience comments highlighted how insightful and relevant they found the messages on health professional leadership and collaboration. Read more here and watch the recording now!

GNLI 2026 applications

Applications for the Global Nursing Leadership Institute (GNLI) 2026 opened 15 November 2025. This is a unique opportunity for nurse leaders around the world to come together and hone their policy skills at a national, regional and global level. To learn more about the program and how to apply, click here. 

NP/APN Conference

Save the date! Early Registration for the 14th ICN-International Council of Nurses NP-APN Network Conference opens 5 January 2026. Vanderbilt is proud to serve as host for the conference, with endorsement from the American Nurses Association, as it returns to the U.S. in September 2026.

The Advanced Practice in Nursing book series, published by Springer, have published 10 titles in English language and 5 translations into French. The newest French translation can be found here. You are able to get a 65% discount using “INF” code from the book webpage.

Many more titles in English language are coming in for ICN NP/APN Conference in Nashville, including one title on Clinical Autonomy, led by April Kapu.

Feel free to have a look at recent published titles:

• Safe Vaccine Administration (with Howard Catton’s foreword in free access: pdf)
• Globalization and Integration of Internationally Educated Nurses: A Comprehensive Analysis (just published and launched on November 4th)
• Cancer Care in the Post-COVID World and Lung Cancer Navigation and Care (both in Open Access)