News

Brussels — May 28, 2025

The International Society of Nephrology (ISN) marked a historic week at the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78), signaling growing momentum for global kidney health.

At the ISN–Devex event held during WHA78, ISN President Marcello Tonelli (second from right)
shares his perspectives

Leading a powerful multi-stakeholder constituency statement and a high-level event co-hosted with Devex, the ISN reaffirmed its position at the forefront of global health advocacy. These efforts helped build momentum and multisectoral support ahead of the successful adoption of the first-ever WHO resolution on kidney disease, a milestone for the global health community that was led by Guatemala with support from countries and stakeholders around the world.

Statement on integrated approaches to prevent NCDs

The ISN led and delivered a joint constituency statement at WHA78 under Agenda Item 13.1, calling for integrated approaches to prevent and manage NCDs, with a focus on circulatory health, encompassing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and chronic respiratory conditions. In line with the kidney health resolution proposal, the statement emphasized kidney health as a strategic entry point for reducing the global NCD burden and meeting Sustainable Development Goal 3.4. It was supported by 7 WHO non-state actors — an exceptional achievement.

In addition, the ISN co-signed three other statements.

ISN-Devex high-level event: Kidney health as a policy imperative

Further amplifying its advocacy leadership on the global stage, the ISN partnered with Devex to host the high-level event “Kidney Health Matters: A Policy Imperative for Economic Resilience.” The event explored how a resolution on kidney health would help promote efforts to address the rapidly growing burden of kidney disease, as well as advancing UHC and broader strategies for preventing and controlling noncommunicable diseases. ISN President Marcello Tonelli commented, “This event reinforces what the data already shows: without urgent policy action, kidney disease will continue to strain economies, widen health inequities, and undermine progress toward Universal Health Coverage.”

While WHA78 has now concluded, the ISN remains committed to supporting WHO and member states in turning this resolution into meaningful action. Recognizing kidney health as essential to resilient, equitable, and people-centered health systems is only the beginning; the next step is implementation that delivers real impact on the ground.