Vivekanand Jha named editor-in-chief of Kidney International Reports^®

October 21, 2026

The International Society of Nephrology (ISN) is pleased to announce the appointment of Vivekanand Jha as the next editor-in-chief of Kidney International Reports^® (KIR), an official ISN open-access journal. His term will begin on January 1, 2027, succeeding Jai Radhakrishnan, who has been appointed next editor-in-chief of Kidney International^®.

Jha is a globally recognized nephrologist, researcher, public health leader, and past president of the ISN. He brings extensive experience in kidney disease research, health systems innovation, global kidney care, and scientific publishing.

“Professor Jha is an exceptional choice to lead Kidney International Reports^®,” said ISN President Marcello Tonelli. “His outstanding contributions to global kidney health, commitment to equity and access, and deep understanding of the challenges facing kidney care worldwide align strongly with KIR’s mission.”

“I am honored to take on the role of editor-in-chief of Kidney International Reports^®,” said Professor Jha. “KIR is an important platform for sharing clinical and translational research with the global nephrology community. I look forward to working with the ISN, the editorial team, authors, reviewers, and readers worldwide to build on this strong foundation, support diverse voices in kidney research, and further strengthen the journal’s contribution to improving kidney care.”

Kidney International Reports^® is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal publishing leading research and developments related to kidney health. As part of the ISN Journal family, KIR supports the rapid dissemination of high-quality kidney research and provides an accessible platform for clinical and translational discoveries from the global nephrology community.

Raising kidney health’s profile on the global agenda

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.

Celebrating excellence across the global kidney care community

Please join us in congratulating the 2027 ISN Awards winners whose dedication, innovation, and leadership have advanced kidney care, education, research, and collaboration around the world.

	Alfred Newton Richards Award: Paola Romagnani
	Roscoe R. Robinson Award: László Rosivall
	Lillian Jean Kaplan International Prize: Feng Qian
	ISN Pioneer Award winners: Africa: Gloria Enow Ashuntantang-Some (Cameroon) Eastern and Central Europe: Rümeyza Kazancıoğlu (Türkiye) Latin America: Hercilio Alexandre da Luz Filho (Brazil) Middle East: Ali Abu-Alfa (Lebanon) NIS and Russia: Ashot Sarkissian (Armenia) North and East Asia: Chuluuntsetseg Dorj (Mongolia) Oceania and South East Asia (OSEA): Abu Bakar Suleiman (Malaysia) South Asia: Devinder Singh Rana (India)

Award winners will be recognized at the ISN World Congress of Nephrology 2027 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (April 1-4, 2027). ISN Pioneer Award winners will be presented with their awards at regional events throughout 2027.

The ISN Pioneer Awards apply to individuals from non-high-income countries and honor the ‘unsung heroes’ of nephrology: doctors who have made extraordinary efforts to advance nephrology in a specific country or region.

The ISN Transplantation Working Group is developing a series of concise expert perspectives on published literature to help clinicians, researchers, and policymakers engage with emerging transplant evidence in a practical and accessible way. The commentaries highlight key clinical and practical implications, global relevance, and lessons for different healthcare settings.

Read the first commentary

The first commentary is on the paper “The potential of kidney transplantation to reduce mortality from chronic kidney disease: a global, cross-sectional, modeling study,” published in The Lancet, which examines data from 203 countries and territories to assess the relationship between national kidney replacement therapy rates, income level, chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevalence, and CKD-related mortality.

The expert commentary considers what the study’s findings may mean for global kidney care, particularly the role of transplantation in improving CKD outcomes at a population level. It also reflects on why expanding access to safe and ethical kidney transplantation should remain a priority in efforts to reduce the global burden of CKD.

Look out for further expert commentaries highlighting important conversations in transplantation, from equitable access and long-term outcomes to sex and gender disparities in transplant care.

From 2019 to 2025, an ISN Sister Renal Centers (SRC) partnership strengthened nephrology care and education in Central Java, Indonesia. The collaboration connected the emerging center, Dr. Kariadi Hospital, Indonesia, with the supporting center, Austin Health in Melbourne, Australia, and worked closely with the . It was jointly supported by the ISN and the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology.

Responding to gaps in kidney care

In a landscape where nephrology services had previously been concentrated in a few hospitals in Semarang, and many patients from rural districts faced long journeys for dialysis and delays in care, the partnership set out to strengthen kidney care across Central Java by expanding access, building workforce capacity, improving quality standards, fostering research, and engaging the community.

According to the liaison officer at Dr. Kariadi Hospital, Dwi Lestari Partiningrum, the SRC partnership has resulted in demonstrable improvements in renal pathology services, kidney transplant capacity, peritoneal dialysis, clinician training, and multidisciplinary collaboration. She comments, “The SRC Program exceeded our objectives, transforming patient care, advancing education, and research. These gains are sustainable and institutionally embedded. The partnership has transitioned from capacity building to capacity consolidation, positioning the center for continued growth and long-term impact in renal care.”

Strengthening renal pathology and kidney transplant capacity

One of the clearest examples of this progress is the development of renal pathology services at Dr. Kariadi Hospital, particularly for glomerulonephritis. SRC Program support enabled the hospital to expand its pool of pathologists with expertise in glomerulonephritis from two to six. Monthly multidisciplinary meetings with Austin Health specialists provided a structured forum for reviewing complex renal biopsy cases and supporting clearer diagnosis and treatment decisions. As a result, biopsy interpretation has become faster and more consistent, and local clinicians report greater confidence in their diagnoses and management decisions.

With support from Austin Health transplant specialists Bulang He and John Whitlam, Dr. Kariadi Hospital expanded its kidney transplant capacity through hands-on education and case discussions. This helped the hospital manage more diverse and complex transplant cases locally, including immunologically sensitized patients who previously would have been referred to Jakarta for treatment.

Expanding the kidney care workforce

Training and knowledge exchange were central to the partnership’s long-term impact. During the collaboration, two Dr. Kariadi nephrology fellows completed immersive observerships at Austin Health, gaining first-hand exposure to transplant care, kidney biopsy practice, dialysis services, multidisciplinary meetings, and structured teaching.

In Semarang, Austin Health nephrologists and pathologists contributed to lectures, ward rounds, workshops, webinars, and regional symposia, including the 2024 Semarang International Glomerulonephritis Symposium, which featured presentations by Austin Health’s head of nephrology, Peter Mount, and renal pathologist Benjamin Popp.

These activities reached hundreds of clinicians and trainees across Central Java, strengthened academic engagement, supported more than 10 research projects, and helped position Dr. Kariadi Hospital as a regional hub for nephrology care, education, and research. As a result, the kidney care workforce has expanded across Central Java, with the number of nephrologists more than doubling from 11 to 23, alongside growth in dialysis-trained internists, general practitioners, and renal nurses.

As services expanded into district hospitals, dialysis and outpatient kidney care became more accessible for patients outside Semarang, helping reduce the burden of long-distance travel. Community outreach activities also reached more than 1,000 people, helping raise awareness and detect chronic kidney disease risk factors earlier across the region.

Sustaining progress through continued collaboration

Looking ahead, a recently agreed Memorandum of Understanding between Dr. Kariadi Hospital and Austin Health provides a strong foundation for continued collaboration. Through nurse exchanges, nephrology trainee opportunities, and expanded joint activities, the partnership is set to continue advancing kidney care and education.

Dr. Partiningrum stated, “We are grateful for this SRC partnership. The program exemplifies the ISN’s mission to foster global collaborations that improve outcomes for people with kidney disease, while creating enduring professional and institutional links. It has delivered lasting improvements in clinical services and capability, education, and professional development in Central Java, Indonesia.”

Your research is the result of time, effort, and ideas that could help advance global kidney health. Your next important step in this process: Submit an abstract to WCN’27 so that your work is seen and discussed on a global stage and becomes part of the scientific exchange that moves nephrology forward.  

Submitting an abstract to WCN’27 can help you: 

• Start conversations around your research
  Presenting a poster at WCN gives you the chance to discuss your findings with kidney care professionals from around the world, receive feedback, and build connections that could lead to future collaborations. 

• Raise the visibility of your research
  Posters will be displayed in the Exhibition Hall at WCN’27, presented during dedicated poster sessions and as E-posters, ensuring your work is visible throughout the congress. Accepted abstracts are published in a special supplement of Kidney International Reports®, so that your research reaches a worldwide audience and becomes part of the circulating literature.

• Support your career development
  Presenting at WCN can strengthen your professional profile, build confidence, and support future opportunities, including grants, mentorship, and wider research networks. 

Every project has the potential to contribute to better kidney care. Submit your abstract to WCN’27 and share your work with the global kidney community. 

Kidney International® 

Reversal of advanced diabetic kidney disease in mice achieved with a monoclonal anti-VEGFR1 antibody

Diabetic kidney disease is a major cause of kidney failure, and new treatment approaches are needed.

In this study, researchers tested various strategies to target the VEGF-A pathway in mouse models of diabetic kidney disease and chronic kidney disease.

They found that blocking VEGFR1 improved kidney function, reduced signs of kidney damage, and increased survival, suggesting it may offer a promising new direction for slowing or reversing disease progression.

Kidney International Reports® 

Acute kidney injury and mortality in children hospitalized with malnutrition

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in hospitalized children, but it can be harder to identify accurately in children with acute malnutrition because their baseline creatinine levels may be low.

This study of 185 Ugandan children hospitalized with acute malnutrition examined how different AKI definitions affected risk assessment and evaluated the ISN STOP AKI risk score in this specific population. The results showed that using a minimum creatinine threshold of 0.4 mg/dl helped identify children with AKI who were at higher risk of death.

The findings suggest that AKI identification and risk assessment approaches may need to be adapted for children with acute malnutrition.

Join or renew your ISN membership to access the full Academy library. 

ISN membership brings you year-long access to continuous learning.  The ISN Academy offers expert-led courses, webinars, and resources to help kidney professionals keep pace with evolving practice, build confidence in complex topics, and support better care. 

Start with one of the Academy’s top-performing resources and learn at your own pace: 

• Strengthen your knowledge at the intersection of cancer and kidney care:
  Take the WCN’26: Onco-Nephrology Course 

• Understand how genetics is changing nephrology practice:
  Explore the ISN Genetics Curriculum

• Help improve early detection and care beyond the specialist setting:
  Follow the Empowering Non-Physician Healthcare Workers: Early Kidney Disease Detection and Care Curriculum

• Care for patients with CKD before, during, or after pregnancy:
  Tune in to the SLANH-ISN Webinar: 8 tips que el nefrólogo debe saber sobre embarazo y ERC (in Spanish)

• Sharpen your approach to ADPKD diagnosis and risk stratification:
  Watch the ISN-PKDF Webinar: Early Diagnosis and Risk Stratification in ADPK

• Explore what AI could mean for nephrology:
  Listen to Matthias Kretzler on Nephrology and AI

• Follow advances in glomerular disease:
  Discover the video cases in the IgA Nephropathy Curriculum 

Explore hundreds of hours of expert-led content on the ISN Academy. 

ISN advocacy drives global momentum for kidney care

The ISN invites applications for editor-in-chief of Kidney International Reports^® (KIR). The successful candidate will serve a five-year term (January 2, 2027–December 31, 2031).

Applications close on July 31, 2026.

Please refer to ISN’s equity, diversity, and inclusion statement.

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

New Lancet paper outlines how countries can turn
WHO kidney health commitments into action

May 20, 2026

A new health policy paper published in The Lancet offers practical guidance to help countries implement the WHO kidney health resolution and strengthen prevention, early detection, and kidney care worldwide, as the burden of kidney diseases continues to rise.

As countries begin translating the WHO’s global commitments into national policies and health system planning, the need to move from resolution to action has become increasingly urgent.

The paper, “Implementing the commitments of the World Health Assembly kidney health resolution: a key opportunity to improve health for millions,” authored by an international group of experts, addresses this gap by outlining a step-by-step framework to put the resolution into practice.

International Society of Nephrology (ISN) President Marcello Tonelli said, “The adoption of the WHO kidney health resolution was a historic milestone, but resolutions alone do not save lives. Meaningful progress will depend on how Member States implement these commitments within their own health systems. This paper is designed to support that process by providing a practical approach to help countries identify priorities and advance kidney health in a measurable way.”

The paper highlights a phased and integrated approach, starting with governance mechanisms, national focal points, and situational assessment to help countries identify gaps and define areas for action. The authors stress that expanding equitable kidney care, from prevention and early detection through to kidney replacement therapy, will depend on financing, workforce capacity, and robust systems to measure outcomes and ensure accountability.

“Kidney disease is both a driver and a consequence of health inequities,” said Dr. Robert Kalyesubula, co-author of the paper and a member of the ISN executive committee. “In many parts of the world, people with kidney disease are still diagnosed too late or cannot access the treatment they need. Expanding access to early detection and timely care, especially in LMICs, is one of the most important steps we can take to reduce preventable deaths and health inequities.”

The authors emphasize that kidney care should be embedded within primary health care, noncommunicable disease (NCD) strategies, and universal health coverage, building on existing programs for diabetes, hypertension, and other NCD’s rather than creating parallel systems. They also call for sustained political commitment to ensure that global promises translate into improved outcomes and equity.

“This is a pivotal moment for kidney health globally,” said Aminu Bello, co-chair of the ISN-Global Kidney Health Atlas Core Group and a co-author of the paper. “The WHO resolution created a unique opportunity, and this paper helps show how countries can take the next steps to deliver real, measurable change for patients.”

Play your part in turning the WHO kidney health resolution into action by downloading ISN’s one-page advocacy tool for engaging government and health system stakeholders.

Jai Radhakrishnan named Editor-in-Chief of Kidney International^®

May 7, 2026

The International Society of Nephrology (ISN) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jai Radhakrishnan, MD, as the next Editor-in-Chief of Kidney International^® (KI), the Society’s flagship journal. His term will begin on January 1, 2027, succeeding Pierre Ronco, MD, PhD.

Dr. Radhakrishnan is a Professor of Medicine at the Columbia University Medical Center in New York. He is a recognized leader in nephrology and currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of Kidney International Reports^® (KIR), part of the ISN journal family. Under his leadership, KIR has become the leading fully open-access publication in nephrology. He brings extensive editorial experience, a strong commitment to advancing global kidney health, and a clear vision for the continued evolution of KI.

“Dr. Radhakrishnan is an outstanding choice to lead Kidney International^®,” said ISN President Marcello Tonelli. “His editorial expertise, global perspective, and dedication to advancing high-quality science and clinical research will ensure the journal continues to thrive and evolve. We are confident in his ability to build on KI’s strong foundations and further strengthen its impact for the global kidney community.”

“I am deeply honored to take on the role of Editor-in-Chief of Kidney International^®,” said Dr. Radhakrishnan. “Following in the footsteps of Dr. Ronco, whose leadership has been instrumental in shaping the journal over the past decade, is both a privilege and a responsibility. I look forward to serving the global nephrology community by building on this strong legacy and continuing to advance innovative, high-impact research that informs and improves kidney care worldwide.”

Dr. Ronco has served as Editor-in-Chief since 2018 and will retire from the role on December 31, 2026. Under his leadership, KI strengthened its reputation as a leading journal for high-impact research that informs kidney care worldwide.

Kidney International^® is among the most influential and widely cited journals in nephrology, and is regarded as a leading journal on the development and consequences of kidney disease. As ISN’s flagship journal, it plays a central role in advancing knowledge and improving kidney care worldwide.

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.

The ISN General Assembly meeting will take place in person in Yokohama, Japan during the ISN World Congress of Nephrology (March 28-31, 2026), as follows:

Note: only ISN voting members in good standing at the time of the session will be entitled to attend and vote at the General Assembly meeting

Agenda

• Welcome and introduction
• ISN Secretary/Treasurer’s membership and financial report
• ISN activities update
  • Bridging the gaps: Advocacy, ISN Journals
  • Building capacity: Grants, Research
  • Connecting community: Education, Events
• Closing remarks
• Q&A

Please email info@theisn.org if you have any questions.

We look forward to seeing those of you who can join us at the meeting.

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

President Marcello Tonelli celebrates milestone achievements and global progress for kidney health in 2025

Dear ISN community,

As 2025 comes to a close, I am proud to reflect on a truly transformative year for the global kidney community. Historic milestones have elevated kidney health on the world stage, including the adoption of the first-ever WHO kidney health resolution and recognition in the UN political declaration on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), which references kidney health three times. These achievements confirm that kidney disease is finally recognized as a global health priority and an integral part of the NCD agenda.

In 2026, the ISN will prioritize activities that help to translate these commitments into tangible national action — because kidney health cannot wait.

Membership growth and engagement

The ISN community continued to expand and diversify in 2025, reaching 10,300 members, supported by three new Collective-member societies (now 36) and six new Affiliated societies (125 total), with 19 represented at the Affiliated Societies Meeting at WCN’25. Excellence across the community also grew with 72 new members receiving Fellows of the ISN designation this year.

Our members span every region and income level, reinforcing the ISN’s global identity and collective strength. To enhance members’ experience within our growing community, we also launched a new ISN portal, offering streamlined access to benefits and resources and helping members connect globally, share expertise, and access best practices to improve patient outcomes.

A dynamic gathering for kidney science and global presence

The global kidney care community came together in February at WCN’25 in New Delhi, India, engaging with world-class scientific content that set the stage for a year of tangible progress in advancing global kidney care. The congress brought together 3,746 delegates from 112 countries.

Beyond WCN, the ISN continued its presence at events throughout the year, endorsing 63 meetings across 41 countries. A Scientific Writing Course took place in Kenya, and editions of the Primer Course in Glomerular Diseases were held there, in Taiwan, and in the Czech Republic. In addition, four expert forums were held, one on complement therapeutics in C3G & IgAN, one on B cell targeting in glomerular disease, and two on cardio-kidney-metabolic health. This global engagement strengthens partnerships and fosters collaboration toward advancing kidney care everywhere it’s needed. I encourage you all to register for WCN’26 in Japan!

Driving momentum from public engagement to policy change

World Kidney Day led the charge to raise the profile of kidney health worldwide in March, reaching 170 million people through 2,500 activities in 85 countries, lighting 35 landmarks in 14 countries, and generating 70,000 engagements, with support from more than 18 global celebrities.

The ISN also helped drive global policy momentum this year. At WHA78, we delivered a joint statement and hosted a high-level ISN–Devex event. At UNGA80, the ISN-led event “Kidney Health Can’t Wait: Turning Commitments Into Action” advanced the conversation on translating global pledges into national strategies to bridge care gaps.

To support governments in implementing the WHO kidney health resolution, the ISN launched an implementation strategy aligned with the ISN Manifesto. Designed to translate global commitments into tangible, country-level progress, the ISN would like to build on lessons from national pilot programs and partners’ initiatives to develop adaptable tools, resources, and policy models for regional and global use. There will be a Global Implementation Summit at WCN’27 to review progress.

Supporting career growth and clinical expertise

Accessible from anywhere in the world, the ISN’s educational content helps strengthen best practices and improve kidney care even in underserved regions.

In 2025, the ISN Academy welcomed a new record of 442,591 visitors, while 57 webinars and 8 podcasts — downloaded 1,788 times — delivered accessible, high-quality learning to kidney care professionals, supporting career growth, research literacy, and clinical excellence.

Academy members earned 1,668 CME credits, with standout courses including the “ISN Fellowship Foundation Course,” “Electrolytes and Acid-Base Disorders Curriculum,” and “Rare Diseases: MGRS & Amyloidosis Course,” helping kidney doctors everywhere grow and develop professionally.

Research that maps, measures, and moves kidney care forward

ISN-supported research continues to expand the global kidney knowledge base, with 10 publications this year appearing in leading journals, including one from Emerging Leaders Program members on the role of non-physician health workers in kidney care and another on the PARADIGM consensus meeting on rethinking kidney research trials. Several studies, including those in PLOS Global Public Health, drew on data from the ISN‑Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN‑GKHA) to examine global access to kidney care, therapies, and transplantation, while other papers addressed home dialysis, therapy optimization, and professional development for nephrology teams.

The ISN‑GKHA Interactive Map, launched this year, has already attracted 5.3K visitors in its first 10 months. It allows users to effortlessly explore trends by country, region, and income group, turning data into actionable insights for policymakers and clinicians worldwide.

The ISN also released six Guides for Everyone, translating complex trial results into practical insights, alongside 84  ISN TrialWatch (previously Global Trials Focus) summaries spotlighting the most impactful studies for kidney care, ensuring that the latest evidence informs clinicians worldwide and advances shaping kidney care.

Grants that build capacity and transform care where it’s most needed

ISN Grants work together to strengthen kidney care worldwide: Fellowships develop future leaders, Sister Centers partnerships provide long-term mentorship, Continuing Medical Education courses share expertise, and Educational Ambassadors deliver tailored, hands-on training. These initiatives are made possible through your support, translating directly into tangible improvements in kidney care services around the world. Here’s a snapshot of what your support enabled in 2025.

• ISN Educational Ambassadors helped enhance renal pathology services in Rwanda, strengthen interventional nephrology in India, and reintegrate urinary sediment analysis in Peru
• Emerging Leaders Program Cohort 3 members helped advance the global dialogue on access to CKD diagnostics, reflecting the next generation of nephrology leadership in action
• Sister Renal Centers in India, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar significantly advanced pediatric kidney care
• The ISN–TTS Sister Transplant Centers Program has improved transplant services in Nepal and the Philippines

In addition, the ISN supported 14 Interventional Nephrology Scholars, 4 Clinical Research Program grantees, and 23 Fellows from 15 countries — expanding expertise, innovation, and impact in kidney care in underserved areas.

Earlier this year, the ISN began supporting the CARE-NEPH East Africa Project, a five-year partnership led by national kidney societies in Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Tanzania. Building on the region’s strong foundation of ISN training and collaboration — including an ISN Regional Training Center  the initiative aims to expand the nephrology workforce, strengthen subspecialty expertise, and improve kidney care skills across local health systems. Designed as a scalable model for other regions, CARE-NEPH is set to create lasting, self-sustaining improvements in kidney care throughout East Africa.

Enhancing kidney care through toolkits and resources

The ISN’s toolkits directly support our mission by offering practical guidance that strengthens clinical capacity, reduces disparities in kidney care, and connects our global community through shared standards and expertise. Launched in 2025, the Optimization of SGLT2i Therapy Toolkit includes six practical tools to guide clinical practice, covering topics such as therapy usage and patient communication.

Existing toolkits were also expanded with valuable resources and provided in additional languages: An infographic on ADPKD was added to the Rare Kidney Disease Toolkit, the RAASi Optimization Toolkit now includes and a toolbox on starting and sustaining early CKD detection and intervention programs was added to the ISN-KDIGO Early Identification and Intervention Toolkit.

Looking towards 2026

This month, the ISN launched Kidney International Case Reports (KICR), a new open-access journal sharing real-world clinical insights from around the globe. We’re looking forward to seeing how this addition will help highlight innovative approaches in clinical practice, including from resource-limited settings, accelerate clinical learning for the ISN’s worldwide community, and support early-career clinicians.

We also look forward to the ISN Frontiers Meeting in Dalian, China, from September 5–7. This immersive, research-driven program will connect the community across cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome, rare kidney diseases, acute kidney injury, and blood purification, as well as innovations such as artificial intelligence in nephrology.

My first year as ISN President has reinforced how powerful our community is when working toward a common goal. Your dedication made 2025 a landmark year for bridging gaps and building capacity in kidney care and elevating kidney health on the global health agenda. As we move into 2026, our focus will be on turning global commitments into national action — and on improving care for the millions who depend on it. Thank you for your trust and partnership.

I wish you all the best for the year ahead, and I look forward to seeing you at WCN’26 in Yokohama!

Warm regards,
Marcello Tonelli
ISN president

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.”