Welcome to the December 2025 & January 2026 ICN Monthly Update!

We are pleased to offer a summary of our endeavors, achievements, and notable events. We invite you to explore the latest developments, discoveries, and highlights within our community. Thank you for choosing to stay informed and engaged with us through our Monthly Update!

ODENNA LatAm Launch

We are excited to announce that applications for ODENNA LatAm will open on 16 February. Eligibility is limited to National Nursing Associations that hold ICN membership within Latin America. Comprehensive information regarding eligibility criteria, timelines, and application instructions can be found on the ODENNA Latam webpage.

Additional opportunities to participate in this Spanish-language programme include serving as a NAMI mentor or contributing to the initiative through regional sponsorship. Individuals or organizations interested in mentoring, sponsorship, or identifying prospective partners within the region are encouraged to consult the website for further details.

As a flagship initiative of the ICN Leadership Centre, ODENNA remains committed to advancing nursing leadership and enhancing organizational capacity throughout diverse regions.

The Global Nursing Leadership Institute (GNLI) continues its trajectory of growth and achievement. GNLI 2026 has attracted a record number of applications, with highly qualified candidates from all six WHO regions. GNLI 2025 participants have also presented their project plans successfully, and we anticipate their final presentations in July. In addition, we are pleased to announce that the PAHO 2022 GNLI project, “Facilitators and Barriers to Investment in the Brazilian Nursing Workforce: A Qualitative Study,” has been reviewed and published in the International Nursing Review (INR), the official journal of ICN.

For further information, please contact [email protected].  

The NLCRR pilot programme in Ukraine has entered its final phase, representing a significant milestone in this pilot initiative. All four mastermind sessions have been completed, with participants presenting comprehensive final reports that highlighted their development in leadership, collaboration, and resilience.

Final evaluations of participants’ work are currently in progress as preparations advance for the NLCRR Closing Ceremony on 12 February, which will formally recognise their accomplishments and collective contributions. You are cordially invited to attend this online event and join in acknowledging both the completion of the programme and its noteworthy outcomes.

Register here for the online closing ceremony!                                                                                     

ICN extends its congratulations to the Korean Nursing Association on the successful completion of its fourth Leadership for Change™ (LFC) cohort, representing a substantial achievement in the ongoing implementation of the programme and a strong commitment to advancing nursing leadership.

We also acknowledge the efforts of the Bangladesh Nurses Association, which commenced its eighth LFC cohort in December, demonstrating sustained engagement and a long-term investment in the development of nursing leadership.

In all countries participating in the LFC programme, nurse participants are leading change initiatives that strengthen teams, enhance clinical practice, and contribute to improved outcomes within their organizations, health systems, and communities.

Ethiopia : Delivery of Essential Medications to Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital

Two donated medical shipments from Direct Relief arrived safely at Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Mekelle, Tigray Region, on 6 January 2026. The donation addresses critical medication shortages in the region.

The ENA has expressed deep appreciation to all partners involved, including ICN, the Nurses for Peace Fund, Direct Relief, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health and EFDA, as well as the leadership and staff of Mekelle University and Ayder Hospital, whose efforts ensured the success of this critical mission.

ICN President raises concerns with Spain’s Minister of Health and WHO Representative

The President met in Madrid with Spain’s Minister of Health and European representative on the Executive Board of the World Health Organization (WHO), Mónica García. During the meeting, Dr Cobos shared with the Minister his deep concerns around the violence nurses face, noting ICN's recent letter to the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, calling for immediate measures to stop attacks on health care. The ICN President also highlighted the impact of ICN's #NursesforPeace campaign and Humanitarian Fund, which support frontline nurses in crisis areas such as Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and many other regions, and was recognized by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health. Read the full article here.

WEF Davos

During the World Economic Forum week in Davos, Howard attended five side events and contributed interventions in sessions organized by the Frontiers Science House and UNFPA, with a particular focus on the critical need to invest in the health workforce. Watch his message from Davos here.  (FR: https://youtu.be/7Klltrh3QZU , ES: https://youtu.be/bIfpCR01bxo )

Seminar of the French Nursing College

ICN President José Luis Cobos Serrano was invited to deliver an address at the Seminar of the French Nursing College on 2 December, participating in the round table “Involvement in Health Policies: A Place to Be Taken Nationally and Internationally.” His contribution focused on how nurses can engage in national and international policy processes to influence health systems and decision‑making.

The legacy of Fadwa Affara

We were greatly saddened to learn of the recent passing of Fadwa Ahmed Affara, who died peacefully in Edinburgh in December. An internationally respected nurse consultant and educator, who dedicated her life to advancing the nursing profession and strengthening health systems worldwide, Fadwa will be remembered as a pioneering nurse leader whose work at ICN helped shape global standards in nursing regulation, education, and policy. Read our full message here.

31st SNAI Biennial Conference

ICN CEO Howard Catton inspired student nurses at the 31st SNAI Biennial Conference, reminding us that their voices will shape the future of nursing. Held under the theme “Learn Today, Lead Tomorrow”, we all celebrate your dedication, passion, and leadership. ICN is proud to support student and early career nurses worldwide as they step into tomorrow’s health challenges through our SECN Alliance.

International Nursing and Midwifery Convention 2025 hosted by RNMU

Howard Catton was invited to participate in the International Nursing and Midwifery Convention 2025, held in Kigali from 10–12 December. He delivered a keynote address during the opening session, as well as a plenary presentation on “Policy, Leadership, and Management in Nursing and Midwifery.” The conference, organised by RNMU, provided an excellent opportunity to meet with Presidents and senior representatives from several African National Nurses Associations. The programme of the event also featured participation from Government officials and WHO representatives.

ICN Podcast

In December, we officially launched The ICN Podcast! An exciting new space to amplify the voices, challenges, and triumphs of nurses worldwide. Our very first episode featured Howard Catton in conversation with Swiss film director Petra Volpe, diving into how cinema can shine a light on the realities of nursing today. This series will feature professionals from all different walks of life, diving into the many aspects of the nursing profession.

Listen now:

Spotify: https://bit.ly/4q0QwE1

YouTube: https://bit.ly/4acjoEU

Honouring the life and work of Professor Nick Hardiker

It was with profound sorrow we announced the passing of Professor Nick Hardiker, RN, PhD, Director of ICN’s International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP) Programme, a pioneering figure in global nursing informatics, and a true friend to many at ICN.

Under Nick’s stewardship, ICNP grew not only as a standardized terminology but as a global resource that strengthened nursing practice, research, and policy. His contributions spanned the development, transition and evolution of ICNP, shaping it into the seminal nursing language product it is today. He played a critical role in the harmonization of ICNP with SNOMED CT and the Clinical Care Classification, and it was thanks to his leadership that ICNP has remained aligned with broader international informatics standards. Read our full articles on the legacy of Nick Hardiker here.

1st Sudanese Nurses Organization Conference and the Young Nurses Symposium

Howard also shared a message for the closing ceremony of the 1st Sudanese Nurses Organization Conference and the Young Nurses Symposium, held on 23 December.

ICN President José Luis Cobos Serrano end-of-year greetings

President José Luis Cobos Serrano shared his powerful end of year message, emphasizing the incredible work of the nursing workforce, and highlighting how their commitment to caring for individuals, families and communities every day continues to inspire us all. Watch the full video here!

#NursesforPeace Update

In December, we released our latest #NursesforPeace update highlights the extraordinary resilience of nurses worldwide working in the most challenging conditions. Through ICN’s Humanitarian Fund and our growing partnership with Direct Relief, we are standing with nurses on the frontlines, ensuring they are supported and heard.

Read the update: bit.ly/4p4uRKm

Support frontline nurses, make a donation: bit.ly/3MKRhD6

Press conference

ICN closed out the year with a highly successful press conference that generated extensive media coverage from outlets including Nursing Times, Nursing in Practice, and others. During the briefing, ICN CEO Howard Catton highlighted the urgent need to strengthen and invest in the global nursing workforce, stressing that demand for primary care nurses has never been greater and that global UHC and SDG 2030 targets are “way off‑course.” He warned that funding shortfalls and rising violence against nurses threaten progress worldwide, emphasising the need for accountability, stronger support systems, and renewed commitment to ICN’s goals for the near future.

Solidarity with Venezuelan nurses and calls for protection of rights in crises

We have been in direct contact with the Venezuelan Nursing Association (Federación de Colegios de Profesionales de Enfermería de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela/Federation of Nursing Professionals of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela) in response to recent political developments and the ongoing crisis affecting the country. We reached out to express solidarity and to reaffirm that the global nursing community supports Venezuelan nurses during this challenging time. For nurses, the pressures of emergencies are often intensified by already difficult working conditions, resource shortages and high demands for care. Read our full statement here.

Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC)

José Luis was also invited to deliver a keynote speech titled “The Invisible and Visible Workforce: The Case for Valuing Care” at the 3rd Edition of the Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC), held under the Patronage of His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on 26–27 January 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The GLMC has established itself as a flagship global event and the leading international platform dedicated to labour market issues.

Ecuador

The President also  sent a congratulatory message to mark the 40th anniversary of the Ecuadorian Nurses Federation. He also delivered a keynote address on “Innovation and Digital Transformation in Nursing Education and Practice” at the 4th International Symposium of the Faculty of Health Sciences hosted by Quevedo State Technical University (UTEQ) in Ecuador, an event held with the participation of the Ecuadorian Nurses Federation.

UCSF Center for Global Nursing

Howard shared a recorded message with the new cohort of the Certificate in Global Nursing Program, led by the UCSF Center for Global Nursing, offering an update on key global developments in nursing over the past year.

Global Labor Market Conference

At the Global Labor Market Conference, ICN President José Luis Cobos Serrano made the nursing voice heard. His keynote address called on all decision-makers to:

1. Recognize nursing as a skilled, strategic profession that is the backbone of resilient health systems and thriving societies and labour markets
2. Invest in nursing as an engine of economic growth and resilience and population health
3. Ensure safe, supportive working conditions that protect nurses' wellbeing

Death of American ICU Nurse Alex Pretti

The International Council of Nurses was deeply saddened by the death of Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse in Minneapolis, United States. We released a statement on our website highlighting how nurses around the world are expressing grief, solidarity, and profound concern as details of this tragic incident continue to emerge. Nurses are trusted health professionals who dedicate their lives to caring for others and strengthening the wellbeing of their communities. Like all citizens, nurses have the right to peaceful civic engagement and to be treated with dignity and respect. Read out full statement here.

ODENNA LatAm Webinar

The ODENNA LatAm project continues to gain momentum as we work to strengthen National Nursing Associations across Latin America. On Thursday 29 January, we held a well‑attended webinar specifically dedicated to explaining the application process, helping associations prepare with confidence ahead of the application opening period. We are excited for the next steps of the programme and the opportunities it will create for stronger, more resilient nursing leadership across the region. Learn more about the application process here.

Maternity Nursing and Care

We are leading a body of work to develop global Maternity Nursing Guidelines to better recognise, support and protect nurses working in maternity care services. This work acknowledges that, globally, a substantial proportion of maternity care is delivered by nurses. Our literature review highlights persistent conflation of nursing and midwifery in this space, with nurses often rendered invisible, contributing to gaps in recognition, authority, regulation and professional protection. As part of this work, ICN will work closely with the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) as trusted professional colleagues, respecting the ICM definition of a midwife. A brief survey will shortly be circulated to National Nursing Associations to inform understanding of registration, scope of practice, models of care and regulatory approaches across jurisdictions.

Nurse Anaesthetists and Anaesthetic Nursing

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is progressing work on an  anaesthetic Nursing Capability Framework to support, strengthen and promote the role of nurses working in anaesthetic environments, including nurse anaesthetists. This work builds on the ICN Guidelines on Advanced Practice Nursing: Nurse Anesthetists and is being developed with the support of the ICN Nurse Anaesthetists Expert Advisory Group. The Framework is strongly informed by the International Federation of Nurse Anesthetist’s 2025 competency standards and aligned with the WHO Global Competency Framework for Universal Health Coverage. It is intended to support patient safety, role clarity and professional recognition, while providing structured guidance that can be applied flexibly across diverse regulatory, educational and practice contexts.

100 Years of Leadership in Polish Nursing

Although the first nursing school in Poland opened in 1911, formal university‑level nursing education began at the Jagiellonian University in 1925, the same year Poland founded its first nursing association and joined ICN. The 2025 centennial conference celebrated a century of achievements, international collaboration, and the growth of academic nursing in Poland. The leadership from Dr Grażyna Wójcik in recent years deserves particular recognition. At a time when nursing education faces threats globally, the Polish story stands as an invaluable example.

Call for abstracts now open for RCN International Nursing Research Conference 2026

Do you have nursing research that drives innovation, strengthens collaboration and delivers meaningful impact? If so, we want to hear from you!

• Showcase your research on an international level
• Discuss impact and engage in peer review
• Network with colleagues and build new connections
• Contribute to the future of nursing research

Theme: Research Without Boundaries: Innovation, Collaboration and Global Impact

Submission deadline: 9 March

Find out more here!

Call for abstracts for the Palestinian International Nursing and Midwifery Conference 2026

Submit your English-Language abstract for the 1st Palestinian International Nursing and Midwifery Conference now! All abstracts must be submitted by 15 February.

Early Bird registration is now open for ICN’s NP/APN 2026 Conference!

Registration is now open for the 2026 ICN NP/APN Network Conference, 14–17 September 2026, in Nashville, TN, USA! Hear from ICN CEO Howard Catton as he invites advanced practice nurses from around the world for a stimulating 4-day international exchange of ideas and strategies in advanced practice nursing. Watch the video here!