ISN Advocacy Newsletter – Bridging the Gaps – September 2026
Raising kidney health’s profile on the global agenda
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
Kidney health continues to gain ground on the global health agenda, and ISN activities at the 81st United Nations General Assembly gave us another important opportunity to build on that progress.
During the event, the ISN helped lead the discussion on moving beyond single-disease approaches toward more integrated and sustainable models of noncommunicable disease (NCD) care.
At the same time, we are strengthening the case for greater investment in kidney health through our new position paper on sustainable financing for NCDs, with practical recommendations on what to fund, how to improve access to essential medicines and diagnostics, and how to strengthen the health workforce.
This work is part of a much broader effort. The ISN is contributing to global health discussions and initiatives in many ways, from serving on the WHO World Patient Safety Day 2026 Steering Committee and providing feedback on the WHO’s draft Global Strategy on Donation and Transplantation to supporting the 2027 World Kidney Day campaign, all helping to keep kidney health visible, connected, and moving forward on the global agenda.
The 2027 UN High-level meeting on universal health coverage (UHC) gives us an important next milestone for carrying this momentum forward and keeping kidney health firmly embedded in the wider NCD and UHC agenda.
Thank you for supporting this progress and helping advance kidney health globally.
Warm regards,
Marcello Tonelli
ISN President
During the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81), the ISN, in partnership with Devex, hosted the event “The Health System Stress Test: Integrated NCD Care for UHC.”
Watch a recording of the session
ISN President Marcello Tonelli, Guyana’s Minister of Health, Frank Anthony, and Pan American Health Organization Director Jarbas Barbosa were among the health, development, and finance leaders driving the discussion on how countries can move beyond single-disease approaches toward more sustainable models of noncommunicable disease (NCD) care, using kidney health as a test of health-system readiness.
The event also helped build momentum toward the 2027 UN High-level meeting on universal health coverage (UHC). The ISN continues to make the case that kidney disease must be part of the UHC conversation if we are to achieve the health-related UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The ISN-Devex event was supported by the ISN Strategic Partner Program.
The ISN was invited to provide feedback on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) draft Global Strategy on Donation and Transplantation, which aims to strengthen access to safe and equitable transplantation worldwide. ISN Advocacy Working Group members submitted a consolidated response to the WHO.
Read the ISN Advocacy Working Group feedback
Among its key recommendations, the ISN called for clearer measures to track progress, stronger action to address financial and geographic barriers to transplantation, and greater emphasis on lifelong post-transplant care, workforce development, and international learning between health systems.
The final version is expected to be presented for adoption at the 80th World Health Assembly in 2027.
Ahead of the Third International Dialogue on Sustainable Financing for NCDs and Mental Health in February 2027, the ISN developed a new position paper on financing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and the importance of including kidney health in these discussions. and the importance of including kidney health in these discussions. and the importance of including kidney health in these discussions. and the importance of including kidney health in these discussions.
Read the ISN position paper “Why financing kidney health matters”
The ISN paper sets out recommendations for governments and the WHO on what to finance, how to fund care, how to improve access to essential medicines and diagnostics, and how to strengthen the health workforce.
The Third International Dialogue will help inform decision-makers involved in shaping the 2027 UN High-level meeting on universal health coverage (UHC) and its political declaration. The ISN will use this opportunity to make a clear case: Kidney health must be part of the financing and UHC conversation if countries are to deliver effective and sustainable NCD care.
The 2027 Professor Donal O’Donoghue Global Kidney Policy Forum (PDGKPF) will mark its 10th year alongside the Global Kidney Health Atlas (GKHA) at the World Congress of Nephrology 2027 in April.
A dedicated fireside discussion will explore the latest GKHA findings and what they reveal about the main barriers to better kidney care across Oceania and South East Asia. Country case studies will offer practical examples of what is working, where gaps remain, and what lessons can support national decision-making.
With the WHO kidney health resolution providing a new global framework, the PDGKPF will focus on turning evidence and experience into stronger policies and faster action across the region.
Earlier this year, The Lancet published “Implementing the commitments of the World Health Assembly kidney health resolution: a key opportunity to improve health for millions” led by ISN President Marcello Tonelli and other international experts.
The paper turns the resolution into a practical roadmap, setting out five steps countries can take to move from commitment to implementation. To make the framework easy to use and share, the ISN has produced a one-page guide summarizing the key actions.
Download and share the one-pager
The message is straightforward: start where you are and build kidney health into existing health systems rather than creating parallel structures.
On September 14, World Kidney Day (WKD) launched its 2027 campaign, “Kidneys, heart, and metabolism: the core of your health.” The campaign highlights the close connection between kidney, cardiovascular, and metabolic health, and the importance of caring for these interconnected systems as part of overall health.
This year, WKD invites everyone to see the world a little differently with the brand-new “”. The idea is simple: look at the world through a kidney-shaped lens. Find, create, or capture something that looks like a kidney in art, nature, food, everyday objects, or anywhere your imagination takes you. Share your discovery or creation on social media, tag World Kidney Day, and use #WorldKidneyDay and #KidneyHealthMatters. The most original idea will receive a special award!
WKD is also launching designed to support kidney health action in low- and middle-income countries. Three grants of USD 800 each will help turn local ideas into WKD activities that raise awareness, engage communities, and bring the 2027 campaign to life.
Start planning your WKD activities for 2027! The activities guide will be released soon with ideas and practical tips. In the meantime, take inspiration from winning activities from previous years, then pin your activity on the WKD map to showcase your plans and inspire others.
The ISN is honored to be part of the WHO World Patient Safety Day 2026 Steering Committee, supporting this year’s global campaign, which focuses on safe care for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and closely aligns with the ISN’s commitment to improving kidney health and patient care.
The 2026 campaign “Safe care for life!” highlights that people living with NCDs often require lifelong care across multiple settings, making them particularly vulnerable to patient safety risks.
The ISN collaborated with members of its Patient Liaison Advisory Group (PLAG) on a social media campaign amplifying patient voices. Members shared what they wish they had known before diagnosis and lessons learned from their kidney health journeys, highlighting the importance of shared decision-making and safe person-centered care.
Discover the ISN social media campaign @isnkidneycare.
