World Health Organization
As one of the first seven non-governmental organisations to be accepted into official relations with the World Health Organization in 1948, ICN has worked collaboratively on many projects of mutual interest over the years.
As a non-State actor, every year ICN actively participates in the WHO Executive Board meetings and the World Health Assembly to represent the voice of nurses and nursing to advance global health and promote public health.
Collaborative work with WHO on the nursing profession and health includes:
- Global strategic directions for nursing and midwifery 2021-2025
- Advanced nursing practice
- Patient safety
- Non-communicable diseases and mental health
- Primary health care
- Infection prevention and control
- Climate change and health
In this section
ICN responses to WHO
News
ICN welcomes WHO and WEF focus on nursing but warns of effect of US withdrawal from WHO on nurse-led services
Nursing was high on the agenda at this year’s World Health Organization Executive Board sessions in Geneva, with key discussions on extending the Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery as well as WHO’s “Workforce 2030” plan on human resources for health.
14 February 2025
ICN delivers strong UHC message in “Care Anywhere” interview and WHO meetings
In a recent CGFNS International “Care Anywhere” podcast interview, ICN President Dr Pamela Cipriano delivered a powerful message: universal health coverage cannot succeed without bold and sustained investment in nurses.
7 February 2025
International Council of Nurses on impact on global health of US withdrawal from WHO
In a 23 January article in Nursing Times, the CEO of the International Council of Nurses (ICN), Howard Catton commented on President Trump’s Executive Order to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), stressing that - because of the multiple health challenges all countries are facing which require global solutions - there has never been a more important time for cooperation and collaboration.
24 January 2025
ICN publishes report on its advocacy and influence at the 77th World Health Assembly, ahead of UN General Assembly
Ahead of next week’s UN General Assembly meeting, ICN has published a report into its contributions at this year’s 77th World Health Assembly meeting, which was held in Geneva, Switzerland.
20 September 2024
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WHO
ICN welcomes WHO and WEF focus on nursing but warns of effect of US withdrawal from WHO on nurse-led services
Nursing was high on the agenda at this year’s World Health Organization Executive Board sessions in Geneva, with key discussions on extending the Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery as well as WHO’s “Workforce 2030” plan on human resources for health.
14 February 2025
-
WHO
ICN delivers strong UHC message in “Care Anywhere” interview and WHO meetings
In a recent CGFNS International “Care Anywhere” podcast interview, ICN President Dr Pamela Cipriano delivered a powerful message: universal health coverage cannot succeed without bold and sustained investment in nurses.
7 February 2025
-
WHO
International Council of Nurses on impact on global health of US withdrawal from WHO
In a 23 January article in Nursing Times, the CEO of the International Council of Nurses (ICN), Howard Catton commented on President Trump’s Executive Order to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), stressing that - because of the multiple health challenges all countries are facing which require global solutions - there has never been a more important time for cooperation and collaboration.
24 January 2025
-
WHO
ICN publishes report on its advocacy and influence at the 77th World Health Assembly, ahead of UN General Assembly
Ahead of next week’s UN General Assembly meeting, ICN has published a report into its contributions at this year’s 77th World Health Assembly meeting, which was held in Geneva, Switzerland.
20 September 2024