Fiona Loud 

A delayed kidney disease diagnosis can affect far more than treatment. It can leave people with little time to understand what is happening, prepare for what comes next, or make informed choices about their care. 

For ISN Patient Liaison Advisory Group member Fiona Loud (UK), the warning signs stretched back years. Kidney damage was first identified after the birth of her daughter, but it was another five years before routine screening for an unrelated problem revealed something was seriously wrong. Fiona was eventually diagnosed with kidney cancer and tuberous sclerosis. She went on to spend five years on dialysis before receiving a kidney transplant from her husband.  

Looking back, Fiona says: “I would very much like to see a system that is better at detecting a condition before it becomes a life-threatening problem. Once identified, I would like to see active treatment and advice; all I was ever given was blood pressure medication and iron.” 

Her experience now informs her extensive advocacy for earlier detection, better access to services, and greater choice for people living with kidney disease. 

Richard Knight 

For Richard Knight (USA), the journey was also marked by delay. While under primary care, his hypertension went unmanaged, and abnormal creatinine results were not treated with the urgency that he later came to understand was required. With unchecked progression of his kidney disease, he needed dialysis with little opportunity to prepare or understand options.  

He also describes the daily, quality-of-life effects that continue long after diagnosis: strict medication schedules, fatigue, infection risk, and the emotional strain of living with uncertainty. “Beyond the physical, there is an invisible emotional tax: the hyperawareness that your health is on borrowed time, managed but never fully resolved. Navigating a healthcare system built around acute care, not chronic management, remains one of the most persistent challenges.” 

Fiona Loud and Richard Knight’s experiences show why listening closely to patients and recognizing the signs earlier are essential to better kidney care and health. While earlier diagnosis cannot remove the challenges of living with kidney disease, it can give people something crucial: time. Time to understand what is happening, consider treatment options, and make decisions about their lives with greater confidence.  

Look out for Rita Charon’s WCN’27 plenary talk: “Narrative Power for Patients and Clinicians: Partners in Health and Care” at WCN’27.    

 

World Kidney Day (WKD) launched its 2027 campaign, “Kidneys, heart, and metabolism: the core of your health,” on September 14. The campaign highlights the importance of caring for kidney, cardiovascular, and metabolic health as interconnected parts of overall health.   

Get creative 

This year, WKD invites everyone to take part in the new “Kidney Shape Challenge”: find, create, or capture something kidney-shaped in art, nature, food, or everyday life. Share it on social media, tag World Kidney Day, and use #WorldKidneyDay and #KidneyHealthMatters. The most original idea will receive a special award. 

Apply for a WKD grant 

WKD is also launching a grant program designed to support high-impact initiatives in low- and middle-income countries. Three grants of USD 800 each will help turn local ideas into activities that raise awareness, engage communities, and bring the 2027 campaign to life.  

Find out more and apply by October 30 

Start planning! 

The 2027 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.  

 

Raising kidney health’s profile on the global agenda

 

​  ​  

Manvir Victor (left) and Bill Wang 

From navigating diagnosis and treatment to the practical and emotional challenges of everyday life, members of the ISN Patient Liaison Advisory Group shared what it means to live with kidney disease.  

Challenging “systemic blindness” in kidney care 

For Bill Wang in Hong Kong, one of the defining challenges was what he describes as “systemic blindness.” Wang has lived with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, dialysis, and a combined liver-kidney transplant. “I had a dual battle,” he explains, “against kidney disease and a system that marginalized lived experience expertise.” 

Bill found that care did not always account for what mattered most to him, including his ability to continue his legal career: “The greatest everyday barrier was a system not designed around what matters most to patients, such as quality of life and life participation.” 

These experiences have led Bill to invest his time in advocating for “moving beyond tokenism” toward genuine co-production and stronger support for lived experience experts, describing this as “the strategic imperative for true patient partnership.” 

Navigating information gaps and employment challenges 

Manvir Victor in Malaysia describes facing kidney disease with little preparation for what treatment and life with the condition would involve. Diagnosed in 2001, he recalls navigating appointments and treatment without understanding what would happen next. 

“Nobody told me anything; I just went to the designated places I was asked to be and waited to be ‘worked on’ by whoever was in charge, with no information.” 

The effects continued beyond treatment. After receiving a transplant, Manvir hoped to return to work but found that his medical history continued to make employment difficult. 

“After multiple job applications, the fact that I was on dialysis for 10 years […] was clearly a barrier to employment,” he explains, adding that doctors are unable to give transplant recipients “a clean bill of health” in a way that reassures prospective employers. “This struggle that many patients go through is often overlooked,” he states. 

In response, Manvir helped establish Malaysian Transplant Heroes, creating opportunities for transplant recipients to showcase their talents and raise awareness of life after kidney disease. 

Despite the challenges he has experienced, Manvir remains hopeful about the future. “The next generation of healthcare professionals is what I am personally optimistic about. They’re growing up in a different world and realize that many things are left to them to change, especially because the evolution of healthcare has been very dynamic and quick, but stunted by outdated processes.”   

Supporting patient perspectives 

Patient voices are central to the ISN’s work to improve kidney health worldwide. 

As part of its involvement in the WHO World Patient Safety Day 2026 Steering Committee, the ISN highlighted PLAG member perspectives on patient safety in a dedicated social media campaign.

Beyond World Patient Safety Day, the ISN will continue to share PLAG members’ stories over the coming months, showing how lived experience can inform care, research, policy, and advocacy and help improve outcomes for people living with kidney disease.

Discover more PLAG members’ stories 

You are invited to participate in an important anonymous online survey, “International travel for organ transplantation: surveying professionals’ experience,”* led by Dominique Martin and Georgina Irish from Deakin University and the Adelaide University, Australia.  

The survey should take 5-15 minutes to complete and is available in 13 languages. 

Complete the survey 

Repeated every two years to track trends over time, the survey focuses on transplant professionals’ recent experiences caring for patients who have traveled internationally for organ donation or transplantation, including lawful and ethical transplants. All health professionals who provide care to organ donors or recipients are invited to participate. 

The project is expected to produce information that health professionals and policymakers may use to prioritize investment in strategies that will help improve patient care and decision-making. 

Explore the findings of the 2024 survey published in Transplantation 

The survey closes on December 13, 2026.  

Thank you in advance for your contribution — your insights are crucial to enhancing our understanding of transplant care worldwide.  

*The survey has received ethics approval from the Adelaide University. Download the participant information sheet for more information. 

 

Brussels, September 23, 2026

At the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81), the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) continued to drive on how to turn the WHO kidney health resolution into action, working with partners across disease areas and linking kidney health to the broader agenda of stronger, more sustainable health systems for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). The engagement comes as countries look ahead to the 2027 United Nations High-level meeting on universal health coverage (UHC).

Kidney health as a stress test for stronger health systems

On the sidelines of UNGA81, the ISN and Devex convened “The Health System Stress Test: Integrated NCD Care for UHC,” bringing together health, development, and finance leaders to explore a shift from single-disease approaches toward integrated NCD care. ISN President Marcello Tonelli, Guyana’s Minister of Health, Frank Anthony, and Pan American Health Organization Director Jarbas Barbosa were among the speakers.

Using kidney health as a test of health system readiness, the discussion examined how integrated NCD care can strengthen primary care and make health systems more resilient, equitable, and sustainable. It also considered how momentum from the WHO kidney health resolution can help inform the road to the 2027 UHC political declaration.

The ISN-Devex event was supported by the ISN Strategic Partner Program.

Building coordinated action across NCDs

The ISN also continued to build partnerships across disease areas at UNGA81. On September 23, Professor Tonelli participated in the event “Reducing the Stroke Burden: Translating the WHA Resolution Into Action” hosted by the World Stroke Organization, which focused on implementing the WHO resolutions on kidney health and stroke.

The discussion reinforced a central ISN advocacy priority: moving from disease-specific commitments toward coordinated approaches that address shared risk factors.

“Kidney disease shows why integrated care matters. Preventing and managing kidney disease effectively depends on primary care, early detection, access to essential medicines and diagnostics, and sustainable financing all working together. If we can build health systems that deliver across that continuum, we strengthen care not only for people with kidney disease, but for people living with NCDs more broadly,” said Professor Tonelli.

In addition, Professor Tonelli spoke at the high-level roundtable, Hosted by the Partnership for Women’s Wellness and Siemens Healthineers during UNGA81, the event brought together global health leaders to address diagnostic delays, screening gaps, and clinical barriers affecting women’s health.

Making the case for sustainable investment in kidney health

These health system priorities are reflected in the ISN’s August 2026 position paper, “Why financing kidney health matters,” which provides governments and the WHO with practical recommendations for financing kidney and NCD care more sustainably and supporting coordinated, person-centered care through UHC.

The paper highlights how kidney disease exposes the consequences of underfunded NCD care and calls for countries to move from commitment to implementation by addressing four questions: which services and products should be covered, how support should be allocated, how access can be improved, and who will deliver care.

Specifically, it recommends including essential diagnostics, medicines, and medical devices in UHC benefit packages; prioritizing prevention and continuity of care in financing models; improving affordable access to essential health products; and investing in multidisciplinary primary-care teams.

At the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81), the ISN will continue to drive discussion on how to turn the WHO kidney health resolution into action, linking kidney health to stronger, more sustainable health systems for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) as countries look ahead to the 2027 United Nations High-level meeting on universal health coverage (UHC). 

On September 22, the ISN and Devex will hold the event, “The Health System Stress Test: Integrated NCD Care for UHC.” Health, development, and finance leaders will examine how countries can move beyond single-disease approaches toward more sustainable models of NCD care, using kidney health as a test of health-system readiness. ISN President Marcello Tonelli and Director of the Pan American Health Organization Jarbas Barbosa will be among the speakers. 

Professor Tonelli comments, “Kidney disease shows why integrated care matters. Preventing and managing kidney disease effectively depends on primary care, early detection, access to essential medicines and diagnostics, and sustainable financing all working together. If we can build health systems that deliver across that continuum, we strengthen care not only for people with kidney disease, but also for people living with NCDs more broadly.”  

Request an invite 

Sign up for access to on-demand content 

The discussion also connects with the ISN’s new position paper, “Why financing kidney health matters,” which provides practical recommendations for financing kidney and NCD care more sustainably through UHC. 

Learn more about how the ISN is helping move kidney health higher on the global health agenda 

The ISN thanks its strategic partners for supporting ISN activities at UNGA81. 

ISN advocacy drives global momentum for kidney care

Advocating for national kidney health action just got easier. The ISN has developed a one-page tool for advocating with government and health system stakeholders showing how they can support the national implementation of the WHO kidney health resolution.  

Download and share the one-pager  

Based on an ISN-led policy paper published in The Lancet in May 2026, the one-pager outlines five practical steps countries can take to move from commitment to implementation, emphasizing the need to embed kidney health into primary care, noncommunicable disease strategies, and universal health coverage, rather than building separate systems.  

Learn more about the ISN’s advocacy efforts or contact advocacy@theisn.org to get involved.

 

“By connecting policy, primary care, and health financing, we can help translate global commitments [for kidney health] into practical action and support progress in the lead-up to the 2027 UN High-Level Meeting on UHC.” Marcello Tonelli, co-author of the paper 

A new health policy paper published in The Lancet, led by ISN President Marcello Tonelli along with an international group of experts, sets out a step-by-step framework to help countries put the WHO kidney health resolution into practice. The paper outlines the governance, financing, workforce, service delivery, and accountability measures needed to turn global commitments into measurable national action. 

Read the press release on The Lancet paper 

The focus on implementation continued at the World Health Assembly (WHA79) in Geneva, where the ISN helped raise kidney health to the forefront of high-level discussions with policymakers, global health partners, and national representatives.  

ISN President Marcello Tonelli presents at the ISN-Devex event at WHA79 

At a side-event co-hosted with Devex, “Kidney Health for All: Delivering Comprehensive Care From Prevention to Treatment,” and an official WHO side event, “Gestational Diabetes and Beyond: Strengthening Primary Care for Integrated Reno-Metabolic Health Across the Life Course,” the ISN emphasized that integrating kidney care into health systems is essential to strengthening care and improving patient outcomes.* 

Read the press release on the ISN’s WHA79 activities 

Participants at the official WHO side event on gestational diabetes

These activities reflect the ISN’s continued leadership in ensuring kidney health remains firmly on the global health agenda, and in supporting countries as they move from resolution to action. 

*The Devex event was supported by ISN strategic partners Novartis, Vantive, and Boehringer Ingelheim. The official WHO side event was co-hosted by Guatemala, Kenya, Tanzania, the International Diabetes Federation, the World Diabetes Foundation, the United Nations Population Fund, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation. 

ISN advances global action on kidney health at WHA79,
one year after landmark WHO resolution

May 23, 2026

The International Society of Nephrology (ISN) contributed to key discussions on kidney health during the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79) in Geneva, bringing together policymakers, clinicians, and global health partners to examine how recent global commitments can be translated into action.

Taking place nearly one year after the adoption of the first-ever World Health Organization (WHO) resolution on kidney health, this year’s Assembly focused on sustaining momentum and identifying practical approaches to disease prevention and early detection, and access to care within health systems.

Highlighting pathways from policy to implementation

On May 20, the ISN co-hosted a side event with Devex, “Kidney Health for All: Delivering Comprehensive Care From Prevention to Treatment,” which convened representatives from governments, international organizations, and the global health community. This event was hosted with support from ISN strategic partners Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis and Vantive.

Discussions focused on how countries can begin to operationalize the WHO kidney health resolution, including through the integration of kidney care into universal health coverage (UHC) and broader noncommunicable disease (NCD) strategies. Participants highlighted the importance of cost-effective care models, early intervention, and stronger health systems. Kidney health was positioned as a critical indicator of health system performance, reflecting the need to integrate it more fully into these structures.

ISN President Marcello Tonelli said: “One year after the adoption of the WHO kidney health resolution, the focus is now on implementation, moving from the ‘why’ to the ‘how.’ Discussions at WHA79 emphasized that kidney care is essential to achieving Universal Health Coverage and advancing Sustainable Development Goal 3.8. By connecting policy, primary care, and health financing, we can help translate global commitments into practical action and support progress in the lead-up to the 2027 UN High-Level Meeting on UHC.”

Integrated approaches across the life course

The ISN contributed to the official WHO side event, “Gestational Diabetes and Beyond: Strengthening Primary Care for Integrated Reno-Metabolic Health Across the Life Course.” The event was co-hosted by Guatemala, Kenya, Tanzania, the International Diabetes Federation, the World Diabetes Foundation, the United Nations Population Fund, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

The session explored how integrated primary care approaches can address interconnected conditions such as kidney disease and diabetes across the life course. Speakers emphasized the role of early identification, task-sharing, and coordinated care models as keys to improving outcomes while reducing pressure on health systems.

Reinforcing kidney health within the global agenda

Together, these engagements reflect ongoing efforts to embed kidney health within broader global health priorities, including universal health coverage and integrated NCD strategies. They also build on recent milestones, such as the WHO kidney health resolution and the United Nations political declaration on NCDs and mental health, reinforcing the ISN’s role in supporting the follow-through needed to turn global commitments into tangible progress.

Smeeta Sinha, national clinical director for renal services at NHS England, added: “In England, kidney replacement therapy is already delivered through the National Health Service (NHS) within a universal health coverage framework. The focus has therefore been on strengthening prevention, early detection, and long-term planning to meet rising demand. Maintaining high-quality, equitable care while supporting workforce capacity remains a key priority. Continued alignment of national approaches with global priorities will be essential to support practical action and improve outcomes for patients.”

Looking ahead, the ISN will continue to work with the WHO, Member States, and partners to support implementation efforts and advance kidney health as part of resilient and equitable health systems, including in the lead-up to the 2027 United Nations High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage.

The ISN’s presence at WHA was also reflected in its engagement with several constituency statements:

• The ISN led a constituency statement under agenda item 12.1 “Follow-up to the political declaration of the high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases”
• In addition, the ISN joined statements led by partner organizations, including:
  • Agenda item 12.4: “Universal health coverage”, led by the World Stroke Organization
  • Agenda item 12.5: “Primary healthcare”, led by the International Association for Dental Research
  • Agenda item 12.6: “Health in the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development”, led by the World Heart Federation
  • Agenda item 15.5: “Draft strategy on the economics of health for all”, led by the International Council of Nurses

As part of its broader engagement during the World Health Assembly (WHA79) in Geneva from May 18 to 23, 2026, the ISN will contribute to two side events on May 20, including an important milestone: the first official WHA side event for which the society was invited to submit a proposal.  

Taking place just days before the first anniversary of the WHO kidney health resolution’s approval, discussions at WHA79 will build on existing momentum and further engage partners towards translating global commitments into action for countries and communities. 

Official WHA79 side event 

The official side event “Gestational Diabetes and Beyond: Strengthening Primary Care for Integrated Reno-Metabolic Health Across the Life Course” will be co-hosted by Guatemala, Kenya, Tanzania, the International Diabetes Federation, the World Diabetes Foundation, the United Nations Population Fund, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation. 

The session will position gestational diabetes mellitus as a critical entry point for reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and associated comorbidities, including chronic kidney disease, in both mothers and children across the life course. 

It will also explore how affordable, scalable models of integrated care can support earlier intervention. A strong emphasis will be placed on task-sharing and practical approaches that can help health workers more effectively manage noncommunicable diseases, including kidney disease. 

Register for the official side event to the WHA79 

Entry is restricted to WHA badge holders only 

ISN-Devex side event 

Earlier the same day, the ISN will host the side event “Kidney Health for All: Delivering Comprehensive Care From Prevention to Treatment“ in partnership with Devex. Speakers will include representatives from the UK Ministry of Health, Kenya’s Ministry of Health, WONCA, Vantive, Novartis, and the ISN.  

The discussion will focus on helping to translate the WHO kidney health resolution into practice by showcasing cost-efficient, innovative kidney care models. It will also examine practical policy levers for integrating kidney care into universal health coverage (UHC) and make the case for kidney health as a useful measure of health system resilience ahead of the 2027 UN High-level Meeting on universal health coverage. 

Register for the ISN-Devex event 

The event is hosted with support from ISN Strategic Partners Vantive, Novartis and Boehringer Ingelheim. 

Together, the two events reflect the ISN’s growing role in global health discussions and its commitment to help turn policy momentum into practical action. By contributing to conversations on primary care, kidney disease prevention, integrated care, and UHC, the ISN helps reinforce the urgent need to embed kidney health within the broader global health agenda. 

 

April 30, 2026

The ISN welcomes the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) launch of a dedicated kidney disease webpage, a significant step in recognizing kidney disease as a major noncommunicable disease (NCD) and global health priority.

This development highlights kidney disease’s rightful place on the global health agenda and provides an important reference point for raising awareness in ways that can help influence policy and improve patient outcomes.

This milestone follows years of advocacy by the ISN and others to raise the profile of kidney disease on the global NCD agenda. It also builds on two important global developments in 2025: the WHO kidney health resolution in May and the UN political declaration on NCDs and mental health in December. Together, these reinforced recognition of kidney disease as a major contributor to the global NCD burden and to progress toward the WHO’s Sustainable Development Goal target 3.4.

Kidney disease is increasingly recognized as a major driver of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is closely linked with other NCDs, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Bianca Hemmingsen, technical lead for diabetes at the WHO’s Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, commented: “The launch of this dedicated webpage is an important step in raising awareness and supporting integrated approaches to NCD prevention, early detection, and management, in line with global commitments.”

The ISN remains committed to working with the WHO and Member States to address the global burden of kidney disease and expand access to quality kidney care. The ISN also encourages the kidney health community to join forces in helping implement the commitments reflected in the WHO resolution and the UN political declaration.

How will you support kidney health and sustainability this World Kidney Day? 

With kidney disease affecting millions worldwide and environmental factors such as heat, pollution, and access to clean water increasingly shaping risk, this year’s theme, “Kidney Health for All: Caring for People, Protecting the Planet,” calls for prevention, early detection, and care models that are people-centered and planet-conscious. 

Read the World Kidney Day editorial in Kidney International® 

While World Kidney Day is a year-round campaign, you can help mark 20 years of World Kidney Day by taking action on March 12, 2026. 

Ways to get involved: 

• Plan an activity and pin it on the WKD map: Add your event to boost visibility, share a direct link, and contribute to the global impact report. 

• Join the #OurKidneysOurPlanet campaign: Download themed props, take a photo, and post it to spotlight prevention, kidney risk factors, and the kidney-environment link. 

• Register for the World Kidney Day Webinar (March 4, 2026, 2 p.m. CET): Hear practical strategies on prevention, early diagnosis, sustainable care, and patient-centered decision-making. 

• Join the WKD 5K Run at WCN’26 in Yokohama (March 30, 2026, 7 a.m. JST): Run or walk with the kidney community in this special anniversary event, with limited places available. 

Every action helps move kidney care higher on the global health agenda. Explore more resources and ways to participate at worldkidneyday.org. 

Ready for global advocacy events?
GCCH Webinar, WKD, WHA79 & more

What does it take to move from policy commitments to real improvements in kidney care, and how can those lessons be applied across regions? 

On March 28, 2026*, the Professor Donal O’Donoghue Global Kidney Policy Forum (PDOGKPF) will bring together policymakers, clinical leaders, and advocates to explore practical ways to strengthen kidney care systems in the ISN North and East Asia region, focusing on approaches that translate into measurable progress for patients. 

Held at the WCN’26 in Yokohama, the 8th PDOGKPF comes at a critical moment. Following the adoption of the WHO kidney health resolution in May 2025, countries may now focus on how to implement commitments to improve access to prevention, early detection, treatment, and kidney transplant care. This session will highlight strategies that can inform action not only in the region but in health systems worldwide. 

Guided by the theme “Bridging Policy and Practice for Kidney Health in North and East Asia,” participants will examine real-world policy experiences, discuss scalable kidney models, and share lessons that advocates, clinicians, and health leaders can adapt to their own contexts. 

WCN’26 registered delegates may enter and join the forum using their congress badge. Non-delegates may register using this form, with places available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

*The GKPF takes place from 11-1 p.m. JST 

 

How can the UN political declaration commitments translate into real change for people living with circulatory conditions?  

The 2025 United Nations political declaration on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) sets out renewed global commitments to tackle premature deaths from cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and other NCDs.  

Kidney disease is both a consequence and a driver of circulatory diseases, sharing risk factors, pathways, and health system solutions. 

Unpack what the declaration actually means  

On February 24 at 3 p.m., join the Global Coalition for Circulatory Health Webinar: Translating the 2025 UN political declaration commitments into action for circulatory health to explore what must happen at national levels for the declaration to translate into better health outcomes for your patients.  

The webinar offers a global perspective for everyone working with noncommunicable diseases, featuring voices from government, global institutions, and patient organizations — including ISN President Marcello Tonelli, the presidents of the International Diabetes Federation, the World Heart Federation, and the International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations, as well as the Ministers of Health from Kenya and Barbados. 

Learn more and register for the webinar  

 

 

The ISN and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, formalizing a long-term collaboration to strengthen global action on diabetes-related kidney disease. 

Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease, and together these conditions affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Recognizing their shared risk factors and growing global burden, the ISN and the IDF will work more closely across advocacy, education, scientific exchange, and public awareness to strengthen prevention, early detection, and care. This agreement marks an important step toward coordinated action on closely linked conditions, reflecting a shared commitment to reduce disease progression and premature mortality worldwide. 

ISN President Marcello Tonelli stated: “Diabetes-related kidney disease is a major and growing global health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. We are delighted with this agreement, which strengthens our ongoing partnership with the IDF and will help the ISN to achieve its mission of ensuring that everyone, everywhere has equitable access to kidney health.” 

As part of the agreement, the ISN and the IDF will collaborate on coordinated engagement for World Kidney Day and World Diabetes Day. The organizations also plan joint webinars, training initiatives, and scientific sessions at major congresses and global health events. 

IDF President Peter Schwarz commented, “Diabetes is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease, yet this complication is too often detected late. By strengthening our collaboration with the ISN, we can help elevate kidney health within the global diabetes agenda and support more integrated approaches to care to improve the lives of people with diabetes.”   

Through this partnership, the ISN and the IDF aim to strengthen global awareness of the link between diabetes and kidney disease, working together to improve outcomes for people worldwide. 

 

December 16, 2025

The International Society of Nephrology (ISN) welcomes the adoption of the political declaration from the fourth high-level meeting of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and the promotion of mental health and well-being, held on September 25, 2025.

The declaration sets out renewed commitments by heads of state and governments to accelerate global action on NCDs and mental health, including measures to strengthen health systems, integrate care, and ensure equitable access to prevention and treatment.

Implications for kidney health

Kidney health is mentioned three times in the document, marking the first time it has been included in a political declaration from a UN high level meeting. The declaration recognizes the burden of chronic kidney disease, calls for its integrated management in primary care, and specifically recognizes the strong links between diabetes and kidney disease. The ISN will continue to build on this momentum globally and nationally to ensure the recognition and integration of kidney care in health policies.

ISN Advocacy Working Group Chair Ifeoma Ulasi stated: “The World Health Organisation recently adopted its first-ever global resolution on kidney health, recognizing kidney disease as a major contributor to global mortality. This landmark decision urges countries to integrate kidney care into national health strategies, improve access to treatment, and promote early detection — a turning point for millions affected worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The political declaration mentions kidney health three times, which is remarkable, and we will continue to advocate for its inclusion in health policies as a priority NCD in alignment with the WHO kidney resolution.”

ISN’s role going forward

The ISN remains committed to leveraging the political declaration in its advocacy efforts. This involves promoting its implementation through national and international initiatives, and strengthening partnerships to ensure that kidney disease prevention, early detection, and treatment remain central to global NCD agendas.

ISN President Marcello Tonelli commented: “The explicit inclusion of kidney health in the political declaration is a historic milestone, reflecting its growing recognition as a global health priority and bringing global commitments at the UN level into alignment with those already adopted by the WHO. The declaration gives us a powerful mandate to translate words into action — ensuring investment, policy change, and better outcomes for people living with kidney disease worldwide.”

ISN advocacy initiatives to turn global kidney pledges into action