Together, We’re Making Sure That Kidney Health Matters
Reflecting on the past two years, I am incredibly proud that together, the ISN’s global community has worked to strengthen our focus on making kidney health a global priority, fostering inclusivity, and expanding ISN’s reach and impact.
A key milestone was the April 2024 publication of “Chronic Kidney Disease and the Global Public Health Agenda: An International Consensus” in Nature Reviews Nephrology, underscoring the critical need to include kidney disease as a priority in the global public health agenda. This has fueled our advocacy efforts, including the ISN’s global petition launched in September 2024, toward elevating kidney health matters. These achievements are deeply rooted in the strength of our global community.
Gathering in person at the 2023 and 2024 World Congresses of Nephrology (WCN) in Bangkok and Buenos Aires was a gratifying and joyful highlight. The energy and contributions of thousands of delegates from over 120 countries made each WCN a phenomenal success. Events like these exemplify our collaborative spirit, commitment to meeting members where they are, and dedication to capacity building, creating community, and bridging gaps in kidney care as we advance equitable and sustainable solutions globally.
Our network continues to grow through new and strengthened partnerships with The Transplant Society, the International Paediatric Nephrology Association, the African Association of Nephrology, and the Francophone Society of Nephrology, Dialysis, and Transplantation. The ISN Affiliated Societies Meeting brought together representatives from 28 societies to inspire progress, while our partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare on the GREEN-K initiative moves us toward environmentally sustainable kidney care.
Through the ISN Young Nephrologists Committee, we keep empowering the next generation of kidney care professionals globally, offering young and early-career members a platform to lead, innovate, and contribute fresh perspectives to address the evolving challenges in nephrology.
Building on this commitment to future leaders, the ISN Emerging Leaders Program unites early-career nephrologists worldwide to tackle challenges like climate-conscious healthcare and equitable access to medicines, shaping the future of global nephrology.
ISN Grant Programs remain a cornerstone of our impact, particularly in low-resource areas. Whether it’s providing Continuing Medical Education, training via Educational Ambassadors, or building capacity through the Sister Renal Centers and Sister Transplant Centers programs, we are expanding knowledge-sharing and creating sustainable impact across regions.
The ISN remains committed to supporting professional growth across its worldwide community. The thriving ISN Academy offers a multitude of relevant and timely resources, courses, and virtual learning opportunities, available in different languages for expanded access. The ISN Journals provide monthly cutting-edge research, in-depth case studies and comprehensive reviews facilitating the creation and consumption of knowledge for improved kidney care.
Meanwhile, the ISN-Global Kidney Health Atlas continues to help advance data-driven kidney care, with recent publications in leading journals such as The Lancet Global Health, Kidney International®, and The BMJ. The interactive map, launching at WCN’25, will offer even greater accessibility, empowering care providers and policymakers alike with critical insights.
Building on the ISN’s 2020 International Consensus on Definitions of Clinical Trial Outcomes for Kidney Failure, the ISN hosted its first Consensus Meeting on Changing Paradigms of Studies in CKD in November 2024 in Vancouver. This gathering convened clinicians, clinical trialists, patient partners, regulators, and industry scientists to advance clinical trials and research by redefining endpoints and incorporating patient-reported outcomes.
It has been a true honor to serve as your ISN President, and I am deeply grateful for the passion and dedication each of you brings. Many thanks to all ISN members, volunteers, and leaders for your tireless contributions. Together, we are creating a tangible impact on kidney health worldwide. Let’s carry this momentum, transforming the future for patients everywhere, because #KidneyHealthMatters.
Masaomi Nangaku
ISN President, 2023-2025
OUR MISSION
The International Society of Nephrology (ISN) is a global professional association dedicated to advancing kidney health worldwide since 1960 through education, grants, research, and advocacy.
WE DO THIS FOR ALL OUR
STAKEHOLDERS BY
Guided by our strategic priorities
The ISN successfully delivered on the goals of its 2018-2023 strategic plan, paving the way for a new 2024-2030 plan, which steers all ISN activities.
OUR COMMUNITY
We’re constantly inspired by the contributions and commitment of the ISN’s community of tens of thousands of kidney health professionals. They’re the reason we’re able to advance kidney health worldwide for 60 years and counting.
A DIVERSE COMMUNITY
ISN membership continues to be global and diverse. Over the past two years, there’s been an increase in members from Africa, Latin America, and South Asia.
ISN MEMBER ORIGINS 2023
ISN MEMBER ORIGINS 2024
MEMBERSHIP MORE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL
ISN’s membership options are geared toward equity for all, with fees adjusted to different economies around the world. In addition to individual memberships, the ISN offers tailored options for collective-member societies, trainees, and students, making it easy for everyone—whether an early-career professional, a seasoned expert, or an entire organization—to connect, learn, and contribute to advancing kidney health globally.
INCOME CATEGORY 2023
INCOME CATEGORY 2024
COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS
Perspectives from our members
Khalida Soki, Kenya
“Thanks to the ISN network and its programs, we were able to revive our transplant program after the loss of a key surgeon halted surgeries for months. By leveraging connections formed through ISN initiatives, we secured expert mentorship and facilitated training for local surgeons, ensuring the program’s sustainability. This collaborative effort has led to significant progress, with four centers now performing complex transplants and over 35 successful patient outcomes.”
Laura Castellanos, USA
“My experience with the ISN’s grant programs made me realize that I can combine my two passions: education and nephrology. Witnessing the needs of programs in other countries and being able to provide support was incredibly rewarding. I was previously unaware of such initiatives, and this experience has been truly impactful. I hope to continue this important work in the future.”
Daniel Vincent O’Hara, Australia
“I’m thrilled to be part of the 2024 cohort of the ISN Emerging Leaders Program. Through the program, I’ve become friends with incredible and inspiring nephrologists from around the world, and we are working together to contribute to better global outcomes in kidney health. The opportunities for collaboration and learning provided by the program have really broadened my horizons as a globally-minded nephrologist.”
Tasnuva Kashem, Bangladesh
“ISN’s support has been instrumental in the growth of the Kidney Foundation Bangladesh, one of the largest centers in the country. Through programs like the Sister Renal Center initiative, we have enhanced our research, clinical nephrology, and teaching capabilities, attracting partnerships with international universities and experts. The ISN’s resources have facilitated poster presentations, publications, and collaborative education, fostering a vibrant learning environment. With this support, we have doubled our bed capacity and created opportunities that every trainee aspires to experience.”
Saeed Ahmed, UK
“The ISN Educational Ambassadors Program has been a game changer, unlocking talent and potential with just a bit of investment in areas that really need it. The program doesn’t just provide training — it brings like-minded, passionate professionals together who are committed to improving healthcare. Meeting local healthcare workers and hearing their stories, the frustrations they’ve faced, and seeing how this program offered them a path forward was the most rewarding part. It’s about sustainable change and leaving a meaningful legacy.”
Divya Bajpai, India
“The ISN Emerging Leaders Program has inspired me to think about how to improve kidney health globally. One of the many ways to help advance kidney care worldwide is to make it more sustainable. It was a shock when I realized how my day-to-day activities were damaging the planet and contributing to an increased burden of kidney diseases due to climate change. I created a short animation to demonstrate the small changes I can make daily, at home and at work, which will go some way toward reducing my carbon footprint. With these small efforts, I hope to leave a greener planet for future generations.“
Reflections from lived experiences
Avantika Awasthi, India
“Both my transplants took place under the supervision of Doctor Sanjeev Gulati. The fact that I call my doctor ‘uncle’ says a lot. It is not only the trust and faith that I have in him, it is also the warmth that he has offered me through the entire process. His confidence has given me that strength to sail through the journey all over again. It’s a two-way relationship and the relationship between us has been great.”
Duane Sunwold, USA
“As a patient involved in the ISN Global Kidney Trials Insights project, I had the incredible opportunity to contribute to a truly valuable resource for the kidney disease community. This collaborative effort, which brought together medical experts and patients, has the potential to significantly improve the understanding of complex clinical trials for individuals who may not have a strong medical background. I found the process of working alongside a knowledgeable physician to create patient-friendly overviews incredibly fulfilling, and I gained a deeper understanding of the research being conducted. I often wished for such clear and accessible information when I was first diagnosed, and I’m proud to be part of a project that can make a real difference for others.”
Bill Wang, Hong Kong
“When I was on dialysis, it was difficult. I tried to make my life as normal as possible. I managed my time in such a way that I can still do some kind of work during dialysis, so it was not boring all the time and sometimes made me forget it. So, keep the spirit high, once you get used to it, you can do it.“
SHARING STORIES OF KIDNEY HEALTH: THE ISN COMMUNITY FILM EVENT
Since 2019, the ISN has hosted a film competition encouraging its members to share stories of how people are affected by kidney disease. In the 2023 and 2024 editions alone, 63 stories were submitted by ISN members from 25 countries, raising awareness and sparking conversations on kidney health. Since the launch of the competition, a total of 170 films from 40 countries have been submitted.
“2024 ISN FILM COMMUNITY BEST FILM”
WINNER
Local Strengths for Local Weaknesses: A Lifeline to Wellassa
Submitted by:
Udana Ratnapala, CKD Prevention Task Force, Monagarala, Sri Lanka
“2024 WKD BEST FILM”
WINNER
An Act of Love, the First Kidney Transplant With a Living Donor in the History of Medicine in Nariño
Submitted by:
Andrea Caicedo, Fundacion Hospital San Pedro, Pasto, Colombia
“2023 ISN FILM COMMUNITY BEST FILM”
WINNER
Hope Sustains Life Through the Lens of a CKD Woman
Submitted by:
S. Shanmugham, G. Krishnan, C. Thirumavalavan, R. Sethuraman, Nephrology Department, KG Hospital, Coimbatore, India
“2023 WKD BEST FILM”
WINNER
Overcoming the Remoteness With Love for a Kidney Transplantation
Submitted by:
J. Restrepo, J.M. Forero Delgadillo, V.A. Ochoa Jiménez, M.D.P. Duque Guevara, Department of Pediatrics, Fundacion Valle Del Lili, Cali, Colombia; A. Montenegro, M.I. Sánchez Vélez, Department of Communications, Fundacion Valle Del Lili, Cali, Colombia
OUR IMPACT:
ISN GRANT PROGRAMS
In a 2024 Impact Assessment Survey conducted amongst ISN grant beneficiaries from the last 15 years, 97% of respondents rated ISN Programs as effective to very effective.
In 2023-2024, ISN Grant Programs supported:
38
Continuous Medical Education-supported meetings where ISN representatives provided training and connected with nephrology workforces across 24 countries worldwide
13
Educational Ambassadors who delivered hands-on
training in 12 countries
8
Clinical Research Projects across 6 countries
33
doctors from 17 countries who trained at 9 Interventional Nephrology Training Centers worldwide
76
kidney health professionals from 34 countries who were mentored to advance specific career goals and skills
46
ISN Fellows from 25 countries who gained essential nephrology training to bring expertise back to their home regions
25
early-career nephrologists from 17 countries who joined the ISN Emerging Leaders Program to tackle critical kidney care challenges globally
84
Sister Renal Center partnerships that enhanced renal care across 45 countries, including 21 partnerships for transplantation services (19 jointly funded with TTS)
40
young doctors from Latin America, Eastern Central Europe, and Africa who completed the ISN Scientific Writing Course in collaboration with local societies
TOTAL INVESTMENT
$2 million in low- and middle-income countries (2023-2024) for a future with equitable access to sustainable kidney health for all.
Achieving our mission in 2023 and 2024 would not be possible without the support of
OUR IMPACT:
Grant Programs Spotlight
A lasting legacy of improved kidney care services through Sister Renal Centers
Through a seven-year partnership supported by the ISN and the Asian Pacific Society of Nephrology, the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) has evolved from a center without renal pathology capabilities to a thriving regional hub for kidney care. With mentorship from Singapore General Hospital, the SPMC now performs over 25 kidney biopsies monthly, trains nephrology fellows who serve underserved areas, and is preparing to open the first Interventional Nephrology Center in Mindanao.
Dr. Franklin Guillano reflects, “The program has laid a foundation for enhanced patient care and professional development in Mindanao, leaving a lasting legacy of improved nephrology services.”
Building on these successes, the SPMC is now working with Davao Regional Medical Center to expand access to hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and other specialized kidney services, ensuring greater kidney care coverage across the region.
From London to Cameroon: the impact of interventional nephrology training
Dr. Ronald Gobina’s month-long ISN Interventional Nephrology Scholarship at St. Helier Hospital in London empowered him to bring new skills back to the Regional Hospital in Buea, Cameroon. Since his training, he has introduced ultrasound-guided CVC placements as a daily practice and they initiated acute peritoneal dialysis for children at his hospital.
Reflecting on his journey, Dr. Gobina shares, “I am so grateful for the opportunity the ISN granted me. It was a major turning point in my professional life.”
Inspired by these achievements, Dr. Gobina and his hospital administration are now exploring an ISN Sister Renal Centers partnership with St. Helier Hospital, with a dream to establish a comprehensive interventional nephrology center to serve Cameroon and the African sub-region.
OUR IMPACT:
RESEARCH
The ISN remains committed to advancing research and improving kidney care globally, A key strength of the ISN’s research activities lies in its ability to provide a global platform for efforts that promote kidney health, exemplified by initiatives such as the iNET-CKD network, ISN-ACT, ISN-GKHA, ISN i3C and SharE-RR.
The ISN-Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA) provided the latest data from its extensive assessment of kidney care capacity across various regions, helping inform policy decisions and driving healthcare improvements worldwide. The latest report, published in 2023, culminated in a major manuscript in The Lancet Global Health and led to a total of 32 publications in other high-impact journals in 2024.
Through the SharE-RR (Sharing Expertise to Support the set-up of Renal Registries), the ISN is helping establish and develop renal registries in emerging countries such as Rwanda and Jamaica. This initiative includes a toolkit to establish renal registries, international knowledge exchange sessions, and support for regional initiatives with the hope of improving data-driven kidney care.
The ISN-ACT (Advancing Clinical Trials) strengthened clinical trial capacity by expanding the Global Trials Focus list, which summarizes key trials in kidney care. Now accompanied by a comprehensive “Guide for Everyone,” developed in collaboration with people living with kidney disease, it makes critical research insights accessible to a broader audience. Recent case studies, such as the FLOW Study on semaglutide for kidney disease progression and a trial on aldosterone synthase inhibition for CKD, illustrate how the ISN is simplifying complex trials and empowering clinicians and patients to meaningfully engage with groundbreaking research.
The i3C (International Consortium CKDu Collaborators) supported research and collaboration to improve CKDu treatment and outcomes with 16 ongoing studies. Key sessions, including presentations at WCN and at “work in progress” meetings, focused on exchanges about ongoing CKDu studies and on the global CKDu research priorities. A position statement, Kidney Biopsies Among Persons Living in Hotspots Of CKDu, published in Kidney International® (March 2024), emphasized the importance of advancing research in affected areas. To date, the ISN Observatory of CKDu has tracked 91 studies from nine ISN regions, serving as a valuable resource for global collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Meanwhile, the iNET-CKD (International Network of Chronic Kidney Disease Cohorts) 2024 visual summary provided valuable insights from over 83,000 patients across 27 cohorts. It focused on critical areas such as CKD progression, treatment strategies, and patient demographics, offering a comprehensive overview to inform research and clinical practice.
To wrap up 2024, the ISN Research Working Group held the Consensus Meeting on Changing Paradigms of Studies in CKD in Vancouver, Canada. This meeting brought together patients, clinical and academic researchers, regulators, and industry partners to explore the tensions between precision medicine, clinical trials, and essential patient outcomes.
OUR IMPACT:
ADVOCACY
Through strategic partnerships, policy engagement, and global campaigns, the ISN persists in advancing kidney health advocacy at the global level.
The ISN continued its collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) through a new three-year plan starting in 2024, reaffirming its Non-State Actor status and supporting the development of a WHO Framework for Kidney Health. To further global advocacy, the ISN organized a high-impact side event at the 2024 World Health Assembly, presenting critical kidney health priorities to international leaders.
To bridge gaps and drive equitable access to kidney care, in July 2024, the ISN signed a memorandum of understanding with the Global Patient Alliance for Kidney Health. This partnership will foster patient-centered approaches and collaborative advocacy, strengthening policies that address critical gaps in kidney health.
In an effort to raise awareness of kidney disease’s human and economic impact, the ISN worked with the American Society of Nephrology and the European Renal Association on a landmark international consensus statement that was published in Nature Reviews Nephrology. Drawing on data from the ISN Global Kidney Health Atlas, the statement provides actionable recommendations for policymakers at all levels and has garnered widespread support from kidney communities worldwide.
As part of a commitment to address shared risks and comorbidities, and embed kidney health within the broader noncommunicable disease (NCD) agenda, the ISN collaborated with the International Diabetes Federation, releasing a joint paper on kidney disease and diabetes in July 2023, followed by a podcast and webinar. Partnering with the World Heart Federation, the ISN co-authored a white paper, anticipated by late 2024, on the links between cardiovascular and kidney health, supporting an integrated approach to circulatory health.
At the Professor Donal O’Donoghue Global Kidney Policy Forum, hosted at WCN’23 in Bangkok and WCN’24 in Buenos Aires, regional stakeholders and decision-makers were brought together to tackle kidney disease in high-burden areas, reinforcing the ISN’s commitment to addressing regional challenges with tailored strategies.
As part of an EU-funded project, the ISN contributed to the “PreventCKD” initiative, with a key roundtable planned at the European Parliament in January 2025. Although the ISN’s focus is on global policy, this project amplifies kidney health advocacy within the EU, urging prioritization of kidney disease as a policy issue at all levels.
In anticipation of the UN’s 2025 High-Level Meeting on NCDs, the ISN launched a global petition in September 2024 to elevate kidney health within the broader NCD agenda. This petition is part of the ISN’s broader commitment to urge global leaders to prioritize kidney health, a focus highlighted in the ISN’s targeted activities at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2024.
The ISN’s global campaigns continue to make a mark. World Kidney Day (WKD) steadily builds awareness beyond the health sector, reaching over 2.1 billion people on social media in over 10 languages, supporting over 1,800 promotional events in over 90 countries and leading to news coverage with an estimated audience of 216 million people. Since its launch in 2021, the “Are Your Kidneys Healthy?” quiz, is now available in 27 languages and has garnered over 182,000 completions across 188 countries. Looking forward to WKD 2025, the theme “Are Your Kidneys OK: Detect early, protect kidney health” promotes awareness of early detection and risk factors, underscoring the ISN’s commitment to preventive care.
The ISN will continue to reinforce its dedication to making sure that kidney health matters and becomes a global priority.
ADVANCING SCIENCE:
ISN JOURNALS
Through its flagship publications, Kidney International® (KI), Kidney International Reports® (KIR), and Kidney International Supplements (KIS), along with ISN eDigest and Trending Topics, the ISN brought its members the latest news in research, highlights from current literature, comprehensive reviews, and in-depth case studies.
In 2023-24:
6,109 submissions were collectively received from 83 countries
2,021 articles were reviewed
469 articles were submitted for publication
16,595,562 downloads were made of full-text articles from ISN Journals from 119 countries
Kidney International®
Impact Factor:
14.8
Editor-in-Chief: Pierre Ronco, MD, PhD
Deputy Editor: Brad Rovin, MD
Editorial Board
Kidney International Reports®
Impact Factor:
5.7
Editor-in-Chief: Jai Radhakrishnan, MD
Deputy Editor: Sumit Mohan, MD
Editorial Board
Kidney International Supplements®
Impact Factor:
19.3
Editorial leadership: Managed by the editorial team of Kidney International®
OUR EVENTS:
MEETINGS AND NETWORKING
Throughout 2023 and 2024, the ISN continued to strengthen relationships within the global kidney care community via various networking opportunities.
It was wonderful welcome delegates to the 2023 World Congress of Nephrology (WCN) in Bangkok, Thailand. Hosted alongside the Nephrology Society of Thailand (NST) and the Asian Pacific Society of Nephrology (APSN), WCN’23 had over 3,200 delegates from 132 countries. Then we came together again at WCN’24 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, hosted alongside the Argentinian Society of Nephrology (SAN) and the Latin American Society of Nephrology and Hypertension (SLANH). WCN’24 had over 4,500 delegates from 121 countries. Through these scientific exchanges and gatherings, we are advancing kidney health worldwide together.
The ISN hosted the Scientific Writing Course for the first time in Africa and the Eastern and Central Europe region in February 2024. There were 15 participants who joined the session in Cairo, delivered in partnership with the Egyptian Society of Nephrology and Transplantation (ESNT), and 15 participants who joined the session in Istanbul, cohosted with the Balkan Cities Association of Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation and Artificial Organs and the Turkish Society of Nephrology.
The ISN also endorsed 111 high-quality stakeholder meetings, courses, and workshops to benefit its members and affiliated scientific communities. In 2023, the ISN broadened its networking and training portfolio with its International Expert Forum and Primer Course in Glomerular Diseases. The 1.5-day aHUS International Forum held in the Czech Republic in December 2023 convened 84 experts to share insights and advance understanding of aHUS. Additionally, in 2023-2024, three Primer Courses in Glomerular Diseases were held in Japan, Argentina and China, providing 330 trainees and early clinicians with essential updates on managing glomerulonephritis.
OUR WORK:
EDUCATION
In the ever-evolving field of kidney care, enhancing knowledge and fostering professional growth are essential for delivering high-quality, effective treatment. The ISN Academy plays a vital role in supporting kidney health professionals worldwide, offering a rich array of educational resources, courses, and virtual learning opportunities. Access to this robust platform is one of the many benefits available to ISN members.
Over the last two years:
539,031 Academy visitors
106 webinars hosted
7 curricula released
22 Global Kidney Care Podcast episodes
1,418 Continuing Medical Education credits provided
135 Kidney Studio recordings
>100 videos from the ISN’s 2023-2024 World Congresses of Nephrology
To ensure that content is accessible to all, the ISN introduced translations for all live webinars in over 50 languages and subtitles in French, Spanish and Portuguese for all on-demand webinars.
Leveraging social media for kidney health education
Reaching people where they are, social media provides a powerful platform for knowledge sharing and engaging a global audience in kidney health awareness. To facilitate this, the ISN and the Nephrology Social Media Collective (NSMC) signed a memorandum of understanding in 2023 to produce primarily social media-related online educational content.
Over the last two years:
80 live-tweeted webinars
17 quizzes
12 Tweetorials
22 X (Twitter) Spaces with >18,000 listeners
10 modules as part of a social media curriculum
The ChatISN community has also been growing as the forums provide real-time engagement with healthcare professionals and provide a space to share valuable tips, insights, and conversations around kidney care.
EXPLORE SOCIAL MEDIA VIDEO ABSTRACTS
OUR IMPACT:
Five ways the ISN is advancing sustainable kidney care
The ISN recognizes the urgent need for sustainable kidney care that ensures environmental responsibility and long-term viability. From fostering innovation in low-resource settings to building partnerships for green solutions, here are five key ways the ISN is advancing sustainable kidney care worldwide
Leading the GREEN-K initiative
The ISN-led Global Environmental Evolution in Nephrology and Kidney Care – GREEN-K initiative – calls on the development of climate-resilient kidney care systems that function through accountable, sustainable, low-carbon health care and proposes a pathway to achieve this goal through a global, collaborative, and inclusive multidisciplinary working group to benefit both patients and healthcare systems.
Promoting sustainable dialysis practices
As part of its collaboration plan with the World Health Organization, the ISN developed the “ISN Framework for Developing Dialysis Programs in Low-resource Settings: A Practical Guide for Sustainable Kidney Care Strategies.”
This framework promotes sustainable care by fostering resource-sensitive strategies that address the environmental and economic challenges of providing kidney care in low-resource settings.
Fostering global partnerships for green innovation
The ISN has partnered with the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare (CSH). By uniting their expertise, the CSH and the ISN aim to compile and share critical educational materials and case studies, promoting best practices in sustainable kidney care. This collaboration will strive to ensure kidney care services globally can adopt and maintain environmentally sustainable practices.
Supporting ISN Emerging Leaders’ projects
Since forming in 2022, the ISN Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) cohort 2 members have been working on initiatives aimed at reducing the environmental impact of kidney healthcare, including:
- An opinion piece, “Climate Change, Kidney Health, and Environmentally Sustainable Kidney Care,” published in the Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease
- “Green Nephrology: A Series of Mini-Reviews on Minimizing the Environmental Impact of Kidney Health Care” in collaboration with Kidney International®
- A survey to help identify practice and research priorities in sustainable kidney care
- Developing a toolkit for sustainable practices
- Conducting a scoping review on the subject
Developing educational resources
The ISN Academy offers resources that guide the kidney care community in adopting sustainable practices. These include sessions from WCN’24, such as “Environmental Approaches for Improving Kidney Care,” which explores innovative methods like dialysis PVC recycling. In addition, the ELP session addresses the kidney care community’s shared responsibility in transitioning to environmentally sustainable global kidney care.
OUR IMPACT:
Young Nephrologists Shaping the Future of Kidney Care
Over the last two years, the ISN Young Nephrologists Committee (YNC) spearheaded initiatives to empower early-career nephrologists, blending education, leadership training, and collaboration to tackle critical challenges in global kidney care.
In September 2023, the YNC launched the “Basics of Statistics for a Successful Start in Clinical Research” curriculum. This six-part video series on the ISN Academy addresses a common challenge faced by early-career nephrologists and provides essential tools for interpreting data and designing impactful studies.
Building on its commitment to fostering networks, the YNC introduced the Young Nephrologists Toolkit in 2024. This resource equips early-career nephrologists with practical advice and strategies to form and lead regional young nephrologist groups. As part of a broader strategy to position the ISN at the center of a global network of young nephrologists, the YNC fostered collaborations with young chapters of major regional societies and national groups in countries such as China, Japan, India, Thailand, Egypt, the UK, and Argentina. These connections aim to strengthen networks and empower young professionals to drive meaningful change in their regions.
YNC members also contributed to innovative projects addressing key challenges in nephrology. At WCN’23 in Bangkok and WCN’24 in Buenos Aires, the best abstracts submitted by young professionals were highlighted, and the YNC presented dedicated scientific sessions and led dynamic workshops and networking sessions. Topics ranged from advancing home dialysis to the need for a more fluid dialogue between nurses and doctors, and explored the differences in training across regions. Since WNC’23, the YNC’s Quiz-a-thon has become a much-anticipated event, bringing together young nephrologists from different regions in a lighthearted, fun and engaging competition to test knowledge and creativity.
Through initiatives like these and increased collaboration with other ISN Programs and initiatives, the YNC continues to cultivate the next generation of kidney care leaders, driving innovation and creating a more sustainable and inclusive future for global kidney care.
OUR LEADERSHIP
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (2023-2025)
Masaomi Nangaku
President
Japan
Marcello Tonelli
President-Elect
Canada
Agnes Fogo
Past-President
USA
Fergus Caskey
Secretary/Treasurer
United Kingdom
Liz Lightstone
Representative of the Council
United Kingdom
Fatiu Arogundade
Representative to the Council
Nigeria
Guang-Yan Cai
Member-at-Large
China
Rolando Claure-Del Granado
Member-at-Large
Bolivia
Meg Jardine
Member-at-Large
Australia
Charu Malik
Ex-officio Member
Belgium
COUNCIL (2023-2025)
Fatiu Abiola
Arogundade
Nigeria
Mohamed Salah
Egypt
Sanjin Rački
Croatia
Jolanta Malyszko
Poland
Carmen Tzanno-Martins
Brazil
Alejandro Ferreiro Fuentes
Uruguay
Shokoufeh Savaj
Iran
Bassam Saeed
Syria
Larisa Prikhodina
Russia
Kirill Komissarov
Belarus
Shuchi Anand
USA
Lori-Ann Fisher
Jamaica
Angela Yee-Moon Wang
Hong Kong
Hyeong Cheon Park
South Korea
Sunita Bavanandan
Malaysia
Talerngsak Kanjanabuch
Thailand
Narayan Prasad
India
Muhammad Rafiqul Alam
Bangladesh
Liz Lightstone
United Kingdom
Maria Jose Soler
Spain
OUR TEAM
The ISN team is a dedicated group of 51 intelligent, energetic, passionate individuals committed to a world where everyone has equitable access to sustainable kidney care.
Spanning three continents and six time zones, our team brings together diverse expertise and backgrounds, demonstrating agility and resilience as we seamlessly collaborate to help advance kidney health globally.
Embracing a hybrid and flexible work environment, the ISN fosters a culture of innovation, teamwork, and well-being that enhances our impact. In 2024, our end-of-year celebration continued the spirit of connection, with team members joining virtually and in person in Brussels for a memorable event that exemplified our strong team spirit and shared mission.
OUR FINANCIALS
Fiscal year 2023-2024
As a global professional association, the ISN raises funds from its members, events, and a variety of external supporters and then invests a majority of its revenue back into grant programs, research, advocacy, and education activities aimed at advancing kidney health worldwide.
ISN REVENUE 2023
ISN REVENUE 2024
ALLOCATION OF EXPENSES 2023
ALLOCATION OF EXPENSES 2024
OUR SUPPORTERS
The ISN extends its deepest gratitude to its supporters who help advance kidney health worldwide. The commitment of these donors – organizations, societies, individual and family funds, corporations – helps enable the ISN to achieve its mission.
2023-2024 SUPPORTERS
Strategic partners
• AstraZeneca
• Bayer
• Baxter
• Boehringer Ingelheim
• Novartis
• Otsuka
Other supporters
• Abbott Laboratories
• Amgen
• Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease
• Calliditas Therapeutics
• CSL Vifor
• GSK
• Janssen
• Roche
• Travere Therapeutics
• Vertex Pharma
• Vera Therapeutics
World Kidney Day
• Astellas
• AstraZeneca
• Baxter
• Bayer
• Boehringer Ingelheim & Lilly
• CSL Vifor
• Davita
• Diaverum
• Fresenius Kabi
• Fresenius Medical Care
• Novartis
• Novo Nordisk
• Otsuka
• Sanofi
• Travere Therapeutics
• Vera Therapeutics
• Vertex Pharmaceuticals
LOOKING AHEAD:
We’re Going to Make Sure Kidney Health Matters
As we close out another impactful two years, I’m filled with gratitude and excitement for the journey we’re on together. The member stories, milestones, and global initiatives highlighted in this Biennial Report reflect the commitment each ISN member and supporter brings to our shared vision. Your dedication fuels our progress and makes a difference in advancing kidney health around the world.
Together, we’ve made incredible strides. From our strengthened advocacy efforts to our work on sustainable kidney care, to the ISN’s partnerships and programs, we are paving new paths for equitable and accessible kidney care. At every turn, our members, from young nephrologists to seasoned experts, are leading the way with fresh ideas and solutions.
Our focus remains clear: empowering kidney care professionals, addressing health disparities, and ensuring that kidney disease is recognized on the global stage. With the ISN Global Kidney Health Atlas and initiatives like our petition to elevate kidney health, we are amplifying our voice and will have a lasting impact.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the ISN executive committee and council for their leadership, and to the ISN team, whose unwavering dedication and expertise make our work possible.
And thanks to all of you, for your passion, support, and the incredible work you do. I’m honored to be part of this journey with each of you, and look forward to all that we will accomplish together.
Charu Malik
Executive Director