International Nurses Day 2023 report - Our Nurses. Our Future.

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) and its 136 member national nursing associations (NNAs), representing the 28 million nurses around the world, call on governments, civil societies, international organisations, health care providers and health professionals to take action and be accountable in creating and sustaining health care systems that are safe, affordable and accessible.

We boldly state this because it is a fundamental requirement for the fulfillment of human rights. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has stated that “health is a fundamental human right indispensable for the exercise of other human rights. Every human being is entitled to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health conducive to living a life in dignity.” (Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, 2000)