We are pleased to announce the next steps of the ODENNA LatAm program, reaffirming our dedication to enhancing nursing leadership and organizational development throughout the LatAm region. Anchored on the ICN SOLID Framework, ODENNA provides National Nursing Associations with essential tools for governance, strategic planning, and sustainable progress.  

The application window for ODENNA LatAm is now open. We welcome submissions from eligible ICN member National Nursing Associations in Latin America until 15 March 2026. Following the closing date, all applications will be thoroughly reviewed, and applicants duly notified.  

In addition, we are seeking NAMI mentors as part of the National Association Mentorship Initiative. Organizations interested in mentoring an ODENNA LatAm or ODENNA Africa team are invited to contact us at [email protected] to arrange a discussion and explore opportunities for participation.  

After receiving a record volume of applications for GNLI 2026, we have undertaken a comprehensive review of all submissions and interviews with shortlisted candidates. We are pleased with the high calibre and diversity of applicants representing all six WHO regions. The outcome will have been communicated to applicants by 3 March.  

Simultaneously, participants in GNLI 2025 are progressing in their leadership development and project activities, with preparations ongoing for their final presentations scheduled for June 2026. 

We are also proud to share that GNLI Director Dr Diana J Mason has received an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in recognition of her advocacy and outstanding contributions to nursing leadership and health policy.  

For further information, please contact [email protected].  

The Nursing Leadership for Crisis Response and Recovery (NLCRR) programme  marked a major milestone in nursing leadership education and humanitarian support, celebrating the first cohort to complete the training programme in Ukraine. The closing ceremony was a testament to the extraordinary resilience and capability of the 23 Ukrainian nurse leaders who completed the programme, the first that ICN has delivered in an active conflict zone.  

Should you wish to review the session or share it with colleagues, the recording is accessible on the webinar page via the following link: NLCRR Closing Ceremony Webpage  

In February, the ICN Humanitarian team advanced key humanitarian actions across Madagascar, South Sudan, and Ethiopia. In Madagascar, Cyclone Genazi caused severe damage, affecting over 320,000 people and leaving many nurses displaced; ICN is supporting CONIM in developing a Disaster Fund project to address urgent needs. In South Sudan, ICN, SSNAMA, and Al Sabah Children’s Hospital progressed efforts to import maternal and child health kits and prepare for incoming insulin through refresher nurse training. In Ethiopia, ICN and ENA successfully completed a Marburg preparedness and IPC mentorship project, contributing to the outbreak’s containment and informing the development of a new national emergency preparedness course for nurses.  

High-Level meetings in Geneva  

In Geneva for high-level meetings, ICN President Dr José Luis Cobos Serrano met WHO Chief Nursing Officer Amelia Tuipulotu to advance ICN/WHO shared priorities for strengthening nursing and tackling global health challenges. Accompanied by ICN CEO Howard Catton, Dr Cobos also exchanged greetings with WHO DG Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at WHO HQ. 

International Nurses Day 2026 theme 

We unveiled "Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives" as the theme for International Nurses Day 2026. President José Luis Cobos Serrano emphasized that true empowerment means making structural changes that support the nursing profession in all regions and settings. ICN will publish an evidence-based report based on the IND theme. The report will provide data showing nurses' massive potential to save and improve lives when properly supported and outlining key actions needed to recruit and retain strong nursing workforces through safe working conditions, fair compensation, and meaningful leadership opportunities.  

ICN represented the voice of nursing at WHO Executive Board meetings  

ICN strongly advocated for strategic health workforce investment during the WHO Executive Board meetings held February 2–7 in Geneva. Take a look at our video wrapup: 

ICN delivered targeted statements on mental health, communicable diseases, primary health care, the WHO Global Code of Practice on International Recruitment, and global health for peace, all issues where nurses play central roles. ICN is a founding member of the World Health Professions Alliance, which made strong interventions on digital health and the WHO Economics of Health for All Strategy (2026–2030). ICN delivered strong messages that spending on health professionals is not a cost but a wise investment in thriving populations and economies. Read about our full impact here. 

International Workforce Forum: Global nursing leaders addressed workforce crisis   

ICN co-hosted the International Workforce Forum with the Japanese Nursing Association, 3–4 February, in Yokohama. Nursing leaders from representatives from around the world gathered to share evidence, insights and solutions to major nursing challenges. The forum addressed critical issues including understaffing and shortages, unsafe workloads, workplace violence, and inadequate compensation, and emphasized the need for coordinated international action. ICN's CEO Howard Catton and ICN Vice Presidents Sineva Maria Ribeiro (Sweden) and Megumi Yamaura-Teshima (Japan) participated in the Forum.   

Howard also participated in the Japan Nursing Summit, 5 February, where he shared insights on global workforce trends and the urgent need for systemic change to salaries and working styles to address nursing shortages. ICN President José Luis Cobos Serrano delivered a video message, where he called for leaders to reimagine how we empower nurses to thrive with fair working conditions and supportive, flexible work environments. Read about these two important meetings here! 

Ukrainian nurses completed historic ICN leadership in conflict programme  

Twenty-three Ukrainian nurse leaders graduated from ICN's Nursing Leadership for Crisis Response and Recovery programme, the first leadership programme ICN has delivered in an active warzone. The six-month programme, funded through ICN's #NursesforPeace campaign, provided specialized training in emergency response, crisis management, and sustainable recovery planning. Participants demonstrated exceptional resilience and skill, working on impactful projects including inter-regional nursing networks and emergency mobile staffing algorithms. The programme was delivered in partnership with Ukraine's Ministry of Health and WHO Regional Office for Europe. Read the full story here! 

WHPA demands protection for health professionals worldwide   

The World Health Professions Alliance (WHPA) issued a stark warning of escalating violence against health professionals around the world, citing reports of attacks, detention, and harassment against health workers treating patients in Syria, Sudan, Iran, Ukraine, and Gaza. WHPA calls on all governments and parties to immediately release detained health workers, ensure safe working conditions, and protect medical facilities from violence and misuse.  

ICN CEO Howard Catton, Chair of WHPA, sent a clear message that “health professionals must never become targets”.   

Advanced Practice Core Characteristics Concept Mapping 

ICN has commenced a global Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) Core Characteristics project using group concept mapping to clarify the defining attributes of advanced practice roles. Following pilot testing and formal ethics approval, the study is being conducted over approximately one month via the GroupWisdom online platform. The project has commenced with nurse anaesthetists and will shortly extend to nurse practitioners. Participants generate, sort and rate statements to produce visual cluster maps of core characteristics. This work is critical to strengthening conceptual clarity, informing regulation and education standards, and supporting global coherence in advanced practice nursing. 

The project is being undertaken in collaboration with Dr Elizabeth Holguin and Highlands University of New Mexico. For further information, please contact Dr Michelle Gunn ([email protected])  

NP/APN Conference Nashville 

Join thousands of advanced practice nurses representing more than 140 nations in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, September 14 – 17, 2026, for a stimulating 4-day international exchange of ideas and strategies in advanced practice nursing at the 14th ICN NP/APN Network Conference. Read more here! 

NP/APN Webinar: Prescriptive Authority for Nurses: Global Perspectives in Advanced Practice

International Council of Nurses (ICN) and the ICN Nurse Practitioner / Advanced Practice Nursing Network are pleased to invite you the upcoming webinar exploring nurse prescribing authority from both applied and policy perspectives, highlighting how advanced practice nurses contribute to safe, effective, and accessible care across diverse health systems. Register here!

#NursesforPeace Update 

Our latest #Nursesforpeace update is now live, continuing our spotlight on the extraordinary commitment nurses bring to communities facing conflict, crisis, and instability. 

In this edition, we share new stories of courage, collaboration, and resilience, along with key developments strengthening nursing leadership and global solidarity. These updates reflect how nurses are shaping health as a driver for peace, even in the most challenging environments. Read the full update here!