About us

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is a federation of more than 130 national nurses associations representing the millions of nurses worldwide. Operated by nurses and leading nursing internationally, ICN works to ensure quality nursing care for all and sound health policies globally.

ICN's Mission is to represent nursing worldwide, advancing the profession and influencing health policy.

The International Hospital Federation (IHF), established in 1947, is an international non-governmental organisation, supported by members from about 100 countries, which include hospital associations, healthcare authorities, hospitals and healthcare institutions as well as various organizations playing a role in healthcare service delivery. As the worldwide body for health care and hospital organisations, it develops and maintains a spirit of cooperation and communication among them, with the primary goal of improving performance in service delivery, patient safety and of promoting access to health care for all.

Founded in 1912, the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) is the global federation of national associations of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO). Through its 122 Member Organisations and 4000 Individual Members, FIP represents and serves almost two million practitioners and scientists around the world.

Throughout its almost 100 year history, FIP's priorities have expanded to meet the needs and expectations of the profession in expanding healthcare services and integrating emerging scientific developments.

FIP’s Mission is to improve global health by advancing pharmacy practice and science to enable better discovery, development, access to and safe use of appropriate, cost-effective, quality medicines worldwide

Founded in 1951, the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) is the sole international voice for physical therapy, representing more than 300,000 physical therapists worldwide through its 101 member organisations. The confederation operates as a non-profit organisation and is registered as a charity in the UK.

WCPT believes that every individual is entitled to the highest possible standard of culturally appropriate healthcare delivered in an atmosphere of trust and respect for human dignity, and underpinned by sound clinical reasoning and scientific evidence. It is committed to furthering the physical therapy profession and improving global health through:

• encouraging high standards of physical therapy research, education and practice
• supporting the exchange of information between WCPT regions and member organisations
• collaborating with national and international organisations

The FDI World Dental Federation is a federation of approximately 200 national dental associations and specialist groups. The organisation's vision of "leading the world to optimal oral health" acknowledges that oral health is an integral part of general health and well-being.

The main roles of the FDI World Dental Federation are to bring together the world of dentistry;  to represent the dental profession of the world; and to stimulate and facilitate the exchange of information across all borders, with the aim of optimal oral health for all people.

The organisational vision is brought to life through activities related to FDI's four Mission Statements:

1. The Voice of Dentistry: To be the worldwide, authoritative and independent voice of the dental profession.
2. Optimal Oral Health: To promote optimal oral and general health for all peoples.
3. Members’ Support: To promote the interests of the Member Associations and their members.
4. Information Transfer: To advance and promote the ethics, art, science and practice of dentistry.

The World Medical Association (WMA) is the global federation of National Medical Associations representing the millions of physicians worldwide. Acting on behalf of patients and physicians, the WMA endeavors to achieve the highest possible standards of medical care, ethics, education and health-related human rights for all people. The WMA provides ethical guidance to physicians through its Declarations, Resolutions and Statements. These also help to guide National Medical Associations, governments and international organizations throughout the world. The Declarations, Resolutions and Statements cover a wide range of subjects, including an International Code of Medical Ethics, the rights of patients, research on human subjects, care of the sick and wounded in times of armed conflict, torture of prisoners, the use and abuse of drugs, family planning and pollution.