Global Nursing Leadership in Focus: Key Resolutions, Highlights, and Takeaways from the ICN 2025 Conference in Helsinki

ICN Congress 2025 Helsinki: Key Resolutions, New Leadership, and Global Nursing Insights

Fellow Nurses Africa News Report || Helsinki, Finland || June 13, 2025.

Under Helsinki’s glowing midnight sun, the 30th International Council of Nurses (ICN) Congress lit up hearts from June 9–13, 2025. With over 7,000 nurses from 137 countries gathered at the Messukeskus Expo Centre, united by the theme “Nursing Power to Change the World.” This historic event, marking 100 years since Finland last hosted ICN in 1925, was a beacon of hope for African nurses. Fellow Nurses Africa though not in Finland, followed every bit of conference, resolution and event virtually.

We felt the warmth of unity and resolve, a call to transform healthcare with compassion and strength.

The Congress began with a colorful parade—Nigerian ankara, Ghanaian kente, and South African shweshwe danced alongside Finnish floral crowns. Outgoing ICN President Dr. Pamela Cipriano spoke with passion, declaring a global health emergency for nurses. A quiet moment honored nurses lost to pandemics, wars, and climate disasters, their sacrifices mirroring the daily courage of African nurses in crowded wards. With over 10,000 abstracts shared, Helsinki buzzed with ideas to shape nursing’s future.

A Global Health Emergency: Facing the Nursing Crisis

The Congress spotlighted a harsh truth: nursing is in crisis. The State of the World’s Nursing 2025 report shows 29.8 million nurses globally, up from 27.9 million in 2018. Yet, a shortfall of 4.5 million nurses by 2030 threatens universal health coverage (UHC). In Africa, only 3.9 nurses serve per 1,000 people, compared to 12.7 in wealthier nations. Nurses shared stories of struggle: a Kenyan midwife juggling long shifts, a South African nurse dodging violence, and a Nigerian nurse torn between staying or migrating for better pay.

“We can’t just rely on nurses’ grit,” Dr. Cipriano urged. “Governments must act.” Sessions tackled unsafe staffing, violence (1,524 attacks on healthcare workers in 2023), burnout, and migration draining African systems. A Ghanaian nurse whispered, “I want to stay, but low pay pushes me away.” The Congress pushed for fair migration rules to protect countries like Kenya and Ghana, ensuring their health systems thrive.

Caring for Nurses: A Promise of Support

The Congress put nurse wellbeing first, echoing ICN’s 2025 International Nurses Day theme, “Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies.” Nurses are healthcare’s heart, but many face stress and exhaustion. Esther, a Ugandan nurse, shared, “We lost a colleague to burnout. Who cares for us?” Workshops offered solutions: better pay, safe workloads, and mental health support—ideas African nurses can demand at home.

ICN reaffirmed the Girl Child Education Fund, helping orphaned daughters of nurses in Eswatini, Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia. A Zambian girl’s video message, “School gave me hope,” brought tears, showing how supporting nurses’ families builds stronger communities.

The Helsinki Communiqué: A Path Forward

On June 9, the ICN Council of National Nursing Associations (CNR) passed eight resolutions, called the Helsinki Communiqué. Voted by 81 members with no opposition, these promises guide nursing’s future, especially for Africa:

Safety in Conflict Zones: Protect nurses in war-torn areas like South Sudan, ensuring safe care.
Fair Pay and Workplaces: Push for better wages and safe staffing to keep African nurses.
Fair Migration: Strengthen WHO’s migration code to support African health systems.
Digital Health: Use tools like telehealth to reach Africa’s rural areas.
Leadership Roles: Grow advanced nursing and leadership, like Ghana’s nurse practitioners.
Climate Action: Lead green healthcare to fight floods and heatwaves in Africa.
Better Training: Improve nursing education to meet global standards.
Health Equity: Work for UHC so no African community is left behind.

The Communiqué also called for tracking nurse infections during pandemics and including nurses in WHO Pandemic Accord talks, giving African nurses a global voice. A South African delegate said, “This is our roadmap to change.”

New Definitions: Nursing’s Heart and Soul

On June 9, ICN unveiled new definitions for “nurse” and “nursing,” crafted with input from nurses, students, and communities worldwide. These words paint nursing as compassionate care, bold leadership, and tech-savvy resilience. “Nursing is our calling,” a Nigerian nurse said, beaming.

Fellow Nurses Africa reported this during the week, read here –Discover the New Definitions of Nursing and Nurse at ICN Congress 2025 in Helsinki

For African nurses, the definitions highlight their work in community health, advocacy, and digital tools, replacing old, gendered terms with inclusive ones. They’ll shape education and advocacy for years, though fitting them to Africa’s diverse cultures is a challenge.

New Leaders: Africa’s Voice Rises

A new chapter began with the election of José Luis Cobos Serrano as ICN’s 30th President on June 9, succeeding Dr. Cipriano. His focus on nurse empowerment inspired hope. Fellow Nurses Africa reported this during the week, read here : José Luis Cobos Serrano Elected ICN President at the 2025 Helsinki Congress

Additionally, it was a proud moment for Africa, Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, leader of Ghana’s Nurses and Midwives Association, became ICN Africa Region Representative. “I carry Africa’s dreams,” she told cheering delegates.

Click here to read full story Celebrate Ghana’s Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo as ICN Africa Region Representative at the 2025 Helsinki Congress

Her role strengthens Africa’s voice in global nursing.

Moments That Connected Us

Helsinki was alive with connection. South Africa’s DENOSA shared leadership ideas, sparking ties with Canadian nurses. The Emergency Nurses Association, an ICN affiliate since April 2025, led talks on crisis care, vital for African wards. ICN’s new Leadership Centre inspired African nurses to train as leaders. WHO’s Amelia Latu Afuhaamango Tuipulotu championed UHC, while sessions on indigenous health urged care that respects Africa’s diverse communities.

Takeaways for African Nurses

As we left Helsinki’s endless light, the Congress’s call echoed: nurses can change the world. For African nurses, here’s how to act:

Demand Change: Push for fair pay and national nursing laws.
Use Technology: Adopt telehealth to reach remote areas.
Support Education: Back programs like the Girl Child Education Fund.
Lead Loudly: Shape global policies like the WHO Pandemic Accord.

Fellow Nurses Africa urges you to carry Helsinki’s hope home. Share your stories, work with groups like DENOSA, NANNM, GRNMA etc. and build a future where African nurses shine. Dr. Cipriano’s words linger: “Nurses have the power to change the world.” Let’s make it happen.