ISN Advocacy Newsletter – Bridging the Gaps – November 2025
ISN advocacy initiatives to turn global kidney pledges into action
As we approach the end of 2025, I am proud to reflect on what has been a truly remarkable year for the global kidney community. Historic milestones marked the year, elevating kidney health on the world stage, particularly with the adoption of the first-ever WHO resolution on kidney health and the UN political declaration on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), which references kidney health three times.
These achievements confirm that kidney disease is finally gaining recognition as a global health priority and an integral part of the NCD agenda — and rightly so. Kidney disease is among the fastest-rising causes of mortality, while NCDs claimed around 43 million lives in 2021, up to 80% of which were preventable. Now is the time to translate these commitments into national action. Without sustained effort, we risk losing the full impact of these significant advances. In the coming year, the ISN will roll out a strategy to support countries in implementing the resolution’s commitments through national consultations, capacity-building, and policy engagement.
As we close this transformative year, I thank all ISN members, partners, and advocates for their dedication. The ISN remains committed to ensuring that global promises lead to real change for patients, communities, and health systems worldwide. Together, we have shaped a new era for kidney health, and our work continues — because kidney health can’t wait.
Warm regards,
Marcello Tonelli
ISN President
During the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) in May 2025, Member States adopted the first-ever WHO resolution on kidney health, elevating kidney disease on the global health agenda. Led by the Guatemalan government, this milestone reflects years of advocacy efforts from nephrology societies, healthcare professionals, patient organizations, and civil society, highlighting the growing global burden of kidney disease.
This progress is further reinforced by kidney health being referenced three times in the UN political declaration on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) — a powerful recognition of its significance within the NCD agenda. Expected to be adopted by the UN General Assembly before the end of 2025, the declaration reaffirms government commitments to reducing premature deaths from NCDs, including kidney disease.
Building on this momentum, the ISN is launching an implementation strategy to advance the WHO kidney health resolution by helping governments integrate kidney health into national NCD plans. This initiative aligns with the ISN Manifesto and will focus on:
- Country consultations and readiness assessments to identify local priorities and opportunities
- Partnerships and knowledge sharing
- Capacity-building programs to empower national kidney health advocacy efforts
On the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in September, the ISN, in partnership with Devex, hosted Kidney Health Can’t Wait: Turning Commitments Into Action, a high-level event focused on advancing kidney health within the global noncommunicable disease (NCD) agenda.
Watch a recording of the session here
The event, held two days ahead of the Fourth UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs, brought together policymakers, researchers, and patient advocates to discuss how to translate recent global commitments on kidney health into concrete national action.
Speakers included ISN President Marcello Tonelli, Head of Secretariat at the UNIATF Nick Banatvala, ISN Patient Liaison Advisory Group member Richard Knight, and other decision-makers from civil society and industry.
This ISN–Devex event was supported by ISN Strategic Partners.
In February 2026, the World Heart Federation (WHF), the ISN, and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) will host a joint webinar, “Translating the 2025 political declaration commitments into action for circulatory health.”
The session will unpack the UN political declaration on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), clarifying its implications for circulatory health and exploring how it can inspire policymakers and local stakeholders to strengthen prevention, early detection, and integrated care of NCDs at regional, national, and community levels.
Hosted by the Global Coalition for Circulatory Health, the webinar aims to sustain momentum beyond the UN High-Level Meeting and accelerate progress toward better health outcomes for all. Participants include experts, government representatives, and people living with circulatory conditions to discuss integrated primary care, accountability, and equitable access — key steps toward stronger circulatory health systems. Participants include experts, government representatives, and people living with circulatory conditions to discuss integrated primary care, accountability, and equitable access — key steps toward stronger circulatory health systems.key steps toward stronger circulatory health systems.
The Professor Donal O’Donoghue Global Kidney Policy Forum (GKPF) will be held on March 28, 2026, in Japan, as part of the World Congress of Nephrology 2026.
Themed “Bridging Policy and Practice for Kidney Health in North and East Asia,” the forum will foster dialogue and collaboration toward exploring how countries in the region can translate global commitments from the World Health Organization’s 2025 kidney health resolution into national action.
Two panel sessions will highlight best practices and regional strategies:
- “Japan’s CKD Strategy in Action” — showcasing Japan’s approach to managing chronic kidney disease within an aging society
- “Advancing Kidney Health Across North and East Asia” — focusing on integrating kidney care into national health plans and leveraging data to drive better outcomes
The GKPF has been held annually at the World Congress of Nephrology since 2017. This high-level meeting brings together key decision-makers and stakeholders to address the burden of kidney diseases in specific countries or regions. Experts share strategies aligned with the 10 Recommendations for Global Kidney Health to prevent kidney disease and improve its management, both regionally and globally.
At the upcoming World Congress of Nephrology 2026 (WCN’26), the ISN will host the workshop “Commitment to Impact: Kidney Health Advocacy in Action.”
The session is designed to help participants develop and enhance their advocacy skills and build compelling strategies to promote kidney health, aligned with the WHO kidney health resolution commitments.
Participants will explore advocacy frameworks using evidence-based materials such as the ISN Global Kidney Health Atlas (GKHA) to identify local challenges and opportunities to strengthen engagement with policymakers and integrate kidney care into national public health agendas.
The workshop is coordinated by the Advocacy Working Group in collaboration with members of the Emerging Leaders Program and the Young Nephrologists Committee.
The annual World Kidney Day (WKD) campaign for 2026 launched on September 15, 2025, and will culminate in a global day of activities on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
This year’s campaign promotes “Kidney health for all: Caring for people, protecting the planet.” It highlights the link between kidney care and environmental sustainability, calling for action — from reducing the environmental impact of dialysis to addressing the climate-related risks to kidney health — while maintaining the needs of people living with kidney disease at its heart.
The 2026 campaign comes at a historic moment: In May 2025, the World Health Assembly adopted the WHO kidney health resolution, which officially recognizes World Kidney Day as a global public health day. This milestone demonstrates how sustained advocacy can drive real change and raise the profile of kidney care within the global health agenda.
Get involved!
- Explore WKD campaign materials
- Pin your activities on the interactive map
- Write a blog article
- Submit local and regional news to the WKD newsletter
Share your efforts on social media using #WorldKidneyDay, #KidneyHealthForAll, and #OurKidneysOurPlanet. Tag @WorldKidneyDay for a chance to be featured on official WKD channels!
Find out more about the 2026 campaign here.
