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
CoNGO announces new Global Health Systems Committee, chaired by ICN CEO Howard Catton
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.
12 November 2026
ICN asks WHO leadership candidates to turn support for nursing into action
The International Council of Nurses (ICN), representing the voice of more than 30 million nurses worldwide, the largest group of health care professionals, has written to all currently disclosed candidates for Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), asking them to set out how they would strengthen nursing’s authority, resources and influence within the Organization and across global health.
15 October 2026
Next generation of nurses gains new voice at WHO: ICN Alliance selected for Youth Council
Young and emerging nurses have gained a stronger voice in global health decision-making as the International Council of Nurses (ICN) Alliance of Student and Early Career Nurses joins the WHO Youth Council.
14 October 2026
New ICN report highlights nurses’ impact on global policy and turns WHA commitments into action
Le rôle des infirmières dans l’élaboration des politiques est essentiel pour faire progresser les objectifs mondiaux en matière de santé, selon un rapport publié le 9 octobre 2026 par le Conseil International des Infirmières (CII).
9 October 2026
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United Nations
CoNGO announces new Global Health Systems Committee, chaired by ICN CEO Howard Catton
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.
12 November 2026
-
WHO
ICN asks WHO leadership candidates to turn support for nursing into action
The International Council of Nurses (ICN), representing the voice of more than 30 million nurses worldwide, the largest group of health care professionals, has written to all currently disclosed candidates for Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), asking them to set out how they would strengthen nursing’s authority, resources and influence within the Organization and across global health.
15 October 2026
-
WHO
Next generation of nurses gains new voice at WHO: ICN Alliance selected for Youth Council
Young and emerging nurses have gained a stronger voice in global health decision-making as the International Council of Nurses (ICN) Alliance of Student and Early Career Nurses joins the WHO Youth Council.
14 October 2026
-
WHO
New ICN report highlights nurses’ impact on global policy and turns WHA commitments into action
Le rôle des infirmières dans l’élaboration des politiques est essentiel pour faire progresser les objectifs mondiaux en matière de santé, selon un rapport publié le 9 octobre 2026 par le Conseil International des Infirmières (CII).
9 October 2026