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! 

RCN International Nursing Research Conference 2026

Join nursing leaders, researchers, and practitioners at the RCN International Nursing Research Conference, 15-17 September 2026 at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK. Experience three inspiring days packed with cutting-edge research, inspirational keynote speakers, and excellent networking opportunities, as we explore ‘Research Without Boundaries: Innovation, Collaboration and Global Impact’. See the programme here! 

ICN Congress - How to Submit a Successful Abstract to ICN Congress 2027

The ICN Congress 2027 has launched its call for abstracts, inviting nurses, health professionals and researchers worldwide to contribute to its scientific programme. To support prospective authors, particularly those submitting for the first time or from settings with limited access to abstract-writing support, this webinar provided practical guidance on the submission process, expectations, and review criteria.  Learn more about how to submit your abstract here! 

Interprofessional Collaboration 

On 14 and 15 June, the ICN President and CEO took part in a series of meetings organized by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) in Lisbon, held alongside their congress. 

The ICN President also joined the Satellite Fireside Chat on Interprofessional Collaboration, a high‑level discussion aimed at publicly presenting the Consortium’s shared commitments.  

ICN urges G7 to protect health workers as nurses stand in solidarity 

As the G7 summit closed in Évian, France, the International Council of Nurses brought nurses to the lakeshore to demand protection for all health workers, directly across the water from where several of the world’s most influential decision-makers are meeting. The lakeside action follows a letter sent to G7 leaders by ICN President Dr José Luis Cobos Serrano, urging them to place the protection and empowerment of nurses and health workers at the very centre of their summit, the latest step in ICN's sustained advocacy for nurses in conflict and crises through #NursesforPeace.  Read the full article here! 

Sigma UK Phi Mu Chapter Annual Conference 

On 5 June, Howard was invited to deliver a keynote address at the Sigma UK Phi Mu Chapter Annual Conference in London, held under the theme “Celebrating Diversity in Health and Social Care: Heart, Mind and Body.” 

New ICN member association - Urdhri i Infermierit të Shqipërisë & St. Vincent and the Grenadines 

We are pleased to welcome the Urdhri i Infermierit të Shqipërisë (Order of Nurses of Albania, AON) and the Nurses’ Association of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (NASVG) as our newest National Nursing Association members, further strengthening the global voice of nursing and expanding ICN’s representation of nurses worldwide. These admissions mark important milestones for the nursing profession in Albania and for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and reflects the organization's commitment to advancing professional standards, protecting public health, and supporting nurses and other health professionals throughout the country. Read our full stories here! 

Mahidol University Conference and GNWHOCC general meeting 

On 9 June, Howard was invited to participate in the Mahidol University Conference in Bangkok, co‑hosted by the Nurses Association of Thailand. The following day, he attended the General Meeting of the Global Network of WHO Collaborating Centres for Nursing and Midwifery (GNWHOCC), also hosted by Mahidol University. 

ICN calls for urgent action on maldistribution of nurses between hospital vs. community settings 

ICN CEO Howard Catton delivered the keynote address at the International Home Care Nurses Organization's (IHCNO) 5th Global Conference, 17–19 June 2026 in London, with the theme Caring Beyond Walls: The Power of Nursing in Homes, Communities, and Primary Care Settings. IHCNO is an ICN affiliate member.     Speaking to a global audience of home care nurses, educators, leaders and researchers, Mr Catton drew on the WHO State of the World's Nursing (SOWN) 2025 report, which ICN co-chaired, along with global workforce data and policy. He delivered a clear and urgent message: the maldistribution of nurses between hospital and community settings must be urgently addressed and we must empower nurses as the backbone of the preventive, person-centred and primary health care our world needs if we are to achieve the global health ambitions of health for all and the SDGs. Read our full article here. 

Chinese Nursing Association conference 

Howard was subsequently invited by the Chinese Nursing Association to speak at the opening of its National Conference on Innovation and Reform in Nursing Management. He delivered remarks on “Leadership in the Context of Current Global Health Challenges,” drawing on insights from the IND report. 

Congress of the College of Nursing Professionals of the South of the Province of Santa Fe 

The ICN President sent opening remarks to the congress of the College of Nursing Professionals of the South of the Province of Santa Fe, Argentina, supported by the Argentinian Nursing Federation. 

Pain Management in Later Life: Aligning Evidence, Policy, and Action 

On 11 June, ICN senior policy advisor, Hoi Shan Fokeladeh, attended an expert meeting on “Pain Management in Later Life: Aligning Evidence, Policy, and Action” in Brussels. The meeting was organised by the International Federation on Aging and aimed to identify priority areas for progress and define a clear direction for more integrated, person-centred approaches and  identify concrete actions and areas of responsibility to strengthen coordination and advance policy and practice. 

International Learning Collaborative (ILC) 

Ahead of the International Learning Collaborative (ILC) Annual International Conference in Oxford on 13–14 June, Howard recorded a podcast interview with Prof. Alison Kitson, Chair of the ILC. In the conversation, he shared his perspective on how nursing leaders can shape the debate around the emerging care economy. The conference brought together a global community of fundamental care experts and champions from practice, research, education, and policy. 

Asia Pacific Nurses Convention (ASPAN) 2026 

ICN’s Head of Nursing Practice and Regulations, Michelle Gunn, attended the ASPAN Convention 2026 in Singapore, organized by the Singapore Nurses Association, as a keynote speaker. Under the theme “Empowering Nurses: Leading the Future of Healthcare”, the event brought together nursing leaders from across the region to share insights and shape the future of health care. Following her keynote speech, she joined a panel discussion moderated by Ms Lilian Yew, Chief Nurse, Raffles Hospital, alongside Ms Juriyah Bte Yatim, Senior Nurse Manager, Mount Elizabeth Hospital. It was a valuable opportunity for collaboration, learning, and advancing nursing leadership. 

Nurse Practitioners New Zealand (NPNZ) biannual conference 

On 18 June, Howard also contributed to the Nurse Practitioners New Zealand (NPNZ) biannual conference in Queenstown, where he discussed opportunities for nurse practitioners within the current global health agenda and provided an update on ICN’s ongoing work in this area. 

Hauptstadtkongress 2026 

On 24 June, the ICN President was invited to deliver a keynote speech on Empowered Care, presenting the Economic Power of Nursing and the Definition of the Profession at the Capital Kongress Health Care (Hauptstadtkongress 2026) held in Berlin. He also took part in a joint panel discussion with representatives from the three German‑speaking countries and Denmark. 

Congress of the Mexican College of Licensed Nurses 

President José Luis Cobos Serrano also provided a pre‑recorded presentation for the annual congress of the Mexican College of Licensed Nurses, held on the same date in Mexico City. 

Survey to assess Planetary Health and One Health principles  

The World Veterinary Association and collaborating partners, including the World Medical Association and its Junior Doctors Network, are conducting a global multilingual survey to assess how Planetary Health and One Health principles are integrated into health education and professional training worldwide. They are seeking participation from physicians, nurses, veterinarians, veterinary paraprofessionals, public and global health professionals, students, educators, and trainees across health disciplines.    This survey will help generate the first global baseline assessment of interdisciplinary health education and workforce preparedness, supporting future recommendations aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Complete the survey here: https://lnkd.in/gNiDj2ta  

ODENNA^TM LatAm Cohort 2 officially launched on 1 July with a webinar introducing its eight participating NNAs: Argentina (FAE), Bolivia (CEB), Colombia (ANEC), Ecuador (FEDE), Guatemala (AGEP), Honduras (CPEH), Mexico (FEMCE), and Uruguay (CEDU). Four NNA mentors, Costa Rica (CECR), Panama (ANEP), Paraguay (APE), and Spain (CGE) are supporting the cohort, together with a senior strategic mentor and regional facilitators. 

Participants have now started their courses, marking an important step in strengthening nursing leadership and organizational development across Latin America. Visit the ODENNA^TM LatAm webpage in the coming weeks to view participant videos and learn more! 

The Global Nursing Leadership Institute (GNLI™) is pleased to welcome its 2026 cohort, which began its leadership journey with a private opening ceremony in June. The cohort includes 34 nurse leaders from 26 NNAs, demonstrating the programme’s continued global reach and impact. We look forward to supporting these scholars as they progress through the programme. 

Preparations are also underway for the GNLI™ Alumni Annual Meeting, which will be held online on 14 July. The meeting will give alumni an opportunity to reconnect, share updates, and discuss ways to strengthen the global GNLI network. 

For more information, please contact [email protected]. 

ICN is creating the Nursing Data Advisory Panel (NDAP), a new expert group to guide the future of nursing data worldwide. 

The NDAP will provide strategic advice on the International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP™) and ICN’s partnership with SNOMED International. ICN is seeking leaders from nursing, health policy, informatics, and digital health to participate in this critical work.  Those interested in contributing can contact [email protected]. A full open call with role details will follow shortly. 

In June 2026, ICN worked with Direct Relief and NNAs to strengthen frontline nursing response and health system resilience through several targeted interventions: 

• In the Democratic Republic of Congo, ONIC is launching an Ebola preparedness and response initiative to strengthen infection prevention and control, improve early detection, and protect nurses in high-risk settings. 

• In Madagascar, the first phase of cyclone response has been completed, providing targeted support to 150 affected nurses and helping them continue essential services. A second phase is planned to expand reach and support longer-term recovery. 

• In Sudan, emergency health kits provided by Direct Relief have reached the SNO and will be deployed through NNA Emergency Response Teams, enabling rapid frontline care in fragile and crisis-affected settings.