Since 2018, the ISN has been recognized as a non-state actor (NSA) in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO). As an NSA, the ISN also participates in the WHO’s World Health Assembly and Executive Board meetings.
Current collaboration plan (2024–2026)
The ISN is working with the WHO to strengthen the implementation of several key policies, including the Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs, the NCD Strategy 2023–2030, the UN Political Declaration on NCDs, and SDG 3.4.
There are three pillars that shape the current collaboration plan include the following expected outcomes:
- Joint Kidney Care publication to strengthen continuum in kidney disease treatment in primary health care.
- Dissemination of the three toolkits from the 2021-2023 collaboration plan: toolkit on Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) treatment, the toolkit on dialysis, and the toolkit on setting up registries.
- Communication materials developed and disseminated through agreed communication channels including but not limited to World Kidney Day
Previous collaboration plans
- 2018–2020: Together with the WHO, the ISN developed The ISN framework for developing dialysis programs in low-resource settings. This document outlines the requirements and operational considerations for establishing or expanding dialysis programs in resource-constrained settings, helping WHO member states develop sustainable strategies for treating patients with kidney failure.
- 2021–2023: The ISN supported WHO’s efforts to build capacity on acute kidney injury (AKI) in low-resource settings by delivering a technical package for AKI.
Side events during the World Health Assembly (WHA)
“Kidney Health Matters: A Policy Imperative for Economic Resilience”
Held during the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Intercontinental Hotel, Geneva and online
Co-hosted by Devex and the ISN, this high-level event brought together global health leaders to spotlight the economic and health imperative of kidney care.
With over 60 in-person attendees and 10,500+ virtual participants joining across platforms (Zoom, YouTube, X, LinkedIn, and Facebook), the discussion explored how the newly adopted WHO kidney health resolution can drive progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and strengthen national strategies to prevent and control NCDs.
Highlights from the event:
- Panel 1: Civil society leaders reflected on the resolution’s potential to elevate kidney health within national health priorities.
- Panel 2: Country representatives showcased bold political leadership and shared how they are integrating kidney health into public policy.
This event was supported by AstraZeneca, Novartis and Boehringer Ingelheim.
Wednesday, May 29, 2024 from 9-10 am CET, at the margins of the World Health Assembly, in-person at the Intercontinental Hotel, Geneva and with live streaming.
“Advancing kidney care for all: Expanding access to lifesaving therapies”
Main focus:
- prevention/early detection of kidney disease, emphasizing the critical role of access to therapies and diagnosis
Speakers:
Valerie Luyckx (ISN), Daniel Gallego (Kidney Patients Federation), Bianca Hemmingsen (WHO), Alison Cox (NCD Alliance), and Anna Stavdal (World Organization of Family Doctors).
| Brussels, June 6, 2024 |
| The International Society of Nephrology (ISN) is pleased to share outcomes from the side event, “Advancing Kidney Care for All: Expanding Access to Lifesaving Therapies,” hosted at the World Health Assembly 77 on May 29 in Geneva. As a non-state actor in relations with the World Health Organization (WHO), the ISN organized this event to emphasize the need to raise kidney disease on the global health agenda. |
| This impactful meeting brought together a diverse group of experts – WHO representatives, policymakers, and people living with kidney diseases – to address the critical issue of global disparities in kidney care. |
| Kidney disease continues to affect approximately 850 million people worldwide(i), often with devastating consequences. It is expected to become the 5th leading cause of death globally by 2040(ii). The expert panel, featuring Dr. Valerie Luyckx (ISN), Daniel Gallego (Kidney Patients Federation), Dr. Bianca Hemmingsen (WHO), Alison Cox (NCD Alliance), and Dr. Anna Stavdal (World Organization of Family Doctors), discussed solutions and strategies to ensure that lifesaving therapies are accessible to all, regardless of geographical or socio-economic barriers. |
| Panelists agreed that early detection and prevention of kidney diseases are the most effective ways to save lives. Achieving this requires ongoing awareness campaigns, the prioritization of kidney disease as a health priority by decision-makers, and the need to include civil society members and individuals with lived experience in the decision-making process. This involvement is vital for ensuring equitable access to lifesaving strategies. |
| During the event, Guatemala’s Health Minister, Mr. Oscar Cordón Cruz, emphasized that kidney health is a critical public health issue in his country, highlighting the significant impact of kidney diseases on the population. Recognizing the urgent need for improved kidney care, he committed to explore, along with the Central America Council of Health Ministers, the possibility of introducing a resolution on kidney diseases to the WHO, recognizing it as a priority non-communicable disease (NCD). “We need to address the medical and legal aspects of kidney transplants. This approach is crucial for effective kidney care, ensuring we create strong policies that enhance access and outcomes for all patients in our region.” |
| The Guatemalan Minister’s commitment to this initiative signals a promising step toward international collaboration. It emphasizes the importance of engaging with the WHO to fulfill the ISN mission to “Advance kidney health globally. Together.” |
| The meeting was organized in collaboration with Devex, with support from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim & Lilly, and Novartis.
|
| (i) Francis, A., Harhay, M.N., Ong, A.C.M. et al. Chronic kidney disease and the global public health agenda: an international consensus. Nat Rev Nephrol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41581-024-00820-6 (ii) EKHA, Kidney Manifesto 2024, https://ekha.eu/kidney-manifesto/ |
This event is supported by AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim & Lilly, and Novartis
The ISN attended the 76th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva from May 21 to 30, 2023, presenting five separate constituency statements and holding an inaugural stand-alone event in collaboration with Devex.
ISN-Devex event
Aiming to inform the upcoming UN High-Level Meeting (UNHLM) on UHC and align with Sustainable Development Goals, the ISN- Devex event “From Neglected NCD to Priority: Accelerating Action on Kidney Disease” took place in person on May 24.
Renowned experts such as Dr. Slim Slama, WHO unit head of NCD Management, Dr. John Amuasi, co-chair of The Lancet One Health Commission, and Professor Vivek Jha, executive director of The George Institute for Global Health, presented on various aspects of kidney disease, emphasizing the need for global attention and practical strategies to enhance action and investment in low- and middle-income countries.
Mr. Joab Wako, a transplant recipient and chair of the ISN Patient Liaison Advisory Group, shared valuable insights into the challenges faced by people living with kidney disease. Ms. Helen McGuire, global program leader for noncommunicable diseases at PATH, discussed community-based solutions to enhance health systems for kidney disease care. The Honourable Minister of Health of Ethiopia, Dr. Lia Tadesse Gebremedhin, and the Director General of Medical Education at the Bangladesh Ministry of Health, Dr. Md. Titu Miah, presented experiences and initiatives in kidney disease management.
The 76th WHA was also a fitting opportunity to launch the ISN-Global Coalition for Circulatory Health joint position paper, “The Road to UHC. Why Integration of Circulatory Health Interventions in Primary Care is Essential,” in preparation for the next UNHLM on UHC. The paper presents case studies and best practices in primary care from low- and lower-middle-income countries. It urges Member States to include basic circulatory health services in their UHC benefit packages.
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Since 2021, the ISN has Special Consultative Status with the United Nations’ (UN) Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
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