ICN Congress 2025: A successful GNWHOCCNM Meeting

Fifty-two participants from WHO Collaborating Centres (WHO CCs) from across all six WHO regions, alongside global partners including WHO, Jhpiego, Sigma, ICN, the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), and Afrehealth were present in-person and online. 

The meeting provided a collaborative space to share updates, review progress against WHO strategic priorities, and discuss actions to advance nursing and midwifery aligned with the WHO Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery (SDNM) policy priorities; Leadership, Education, Service Delivery, and Jobs worldwide. WHO CCs also provided updates on key initiatives being undertaken in their region.

Meeting activities included a welcome by the Secretariat, WHO CCNM UTS, and co-chair, WHO CC for Nursing and Midwifery Development at Mahidol University. Key updates were provided on the GNWHOCCNM Biennial Meeting and upcoming elections for the next Secretariat as well as the extension of the WHO SDNM to 2030. Additionally, Dr. Carey McCarthy (WHO) facilitated a focused discussion on the State of the World’s Nursing 2025 (SoWN 2025) report, emphasising leveraging SoWN 2025 data for evidence-informed decision-making, policy development, and global advocacy.

The meeting included a participant polling session for Strategic Priorities for 2026-2030, elucidating top priorities in professionalization, education standards, expansion of Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) roles and nurse-led care, and strengthening of government Chief Nursing Officers. Digital health, climate change, gender equity, and addressing the needs of fragile and conflict-affected settings were also considered highly relevant for strategic advancement.