CoNGO announces new Global Health Systems Committee, chaired by ICN CEO Howard Catton

United Nations WHO
12 November 2026
CoNGO logo

International Council of Nurses (ICN) Chief Executive Officer Howard Catton has been appointed as the inaugural Chair of a new Substantive Committee on Global Health Systems established by the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CoNGO). The Committee’s Executive Committee held its first meeting on 16 October.

The Committee brings together NGOs working in different areas of health from around the world to advance a powerful, united voice on health within the UN. At a time of growing and interconnected health challenges, with multilateralism under strain, it provides a platform for health NGOs to identify shared priorities, contribute expertise to policy discussions and advocacy, and work to strengthen health systems and improve health outcomes worldwide.

Alongside Howard Catton, the elected Executive Committee comprises:

  • Vice Chairs: Dr Tess Panizales, Nightingale Initiative for Global Health, and Colin McIff, The G4 Alliance.
  • Secretary: Dr Oluwayemisi Adegboye, Do The Dream YDI.
  • Treasurer: Robert Soderstrom, Order of St. George.
  • Member-at-Large: Colleen Babiuk-Ilkiw, International Federation of Business and Professional Women.

CoNGO President Dr Peter Preziosi and First Vice President Cyril Ritchie serve as ex officio members.

During the World Health Assembly in May, ICN and CoNGO hosted an event at ICN headquarters with 25 health NGO representatives as a step towards creating this dedicated platform for health-focused collaboration and influence in the UN.

CoNGO President Dr Peter Preziosi said: “Resilient global health systems depend on meaningful civil society participation and sustained multilateral cooperation. This Committee will connect diverse health voices and expertise, translating collaboration into greater influence and measurable action within the UN system.

‘CoNGO welcomes this Committee as a platform to bring a stronger, more influential voice for health to the UN system and welcomes ICN’s Howard Catton as its inaugural Chair.”

Committee Chair Howard Catton said: “ICN is proud to have helped develop this initiative, and I am delighted to serve as its inaugural Chair. These organisations bring a depth of experience and expertise in directly supporting people on the frontlines of delivering health care and humanitarian assistance. They understand the challenges communities and health workers face, what works and what does not.

“That expertise is vital to ensuring global responses reflect those realities and that policy and political decisions support access to care, meet people’s health needs and improve health outcomes. By bringing these organisations together, we can strengthen their collective influence and ensure that practical experience informs global health policy. At a time when multilateral cooperation is under pressure, this connection between frontline experience and international decision-making is more important than ever.”

The Committee will engage with WHO and other multilateral partners, as well as working closely with other CoNGO committees to identify shared priorities and opportunities for collaboration.