.png?sfvrsn=6d0e27cd_1 "Partnership for Change - v7 (1)")
In May 2023, nearly 1,800 delegates from 95 countries met in Cape Town for what many described as a long-awaited moment. It was the first global gathering of the maternal and newborn health community in almost a decade. And although the agenda was technical, the underlying sentiment was unmistakable: the community needed a space to reconnect, compare experiences, and understand how the post-pandemic landscape was reshaping progress. IMNHC 2023 became exactly that, a defining point that reignited momentum and helped countries re-examine their commitments through a clearer, shared lens.
More than 60 countries have continued to advance national priorities since then, refining commitments and updating implementation plans aimed at reducing preventable deaths and preventing stillbirths. But, as discussions evolved through 2024 and 2025, it became visible that progress was happening against an environment of extraordinary complexity. Geopolitical instability, constrained financing, an overstretched health workforce, and persistent inequities started to affect MNH efforts everywhere. For instance, some countries have reported delays in essential commodity procurements.
It is precisely within this environment that IMNHC 2026, happening between May 23rd and 26th, 2026, emerges as another pivotal moment. The conference has been designed as a structured opportunity to regroup, review progress, and chart a practical and evidence-informed way forward. IMNHC 2026 aims to take stock of what has changed, and what has not, by examining challenges, synthesizing emerging evidence, and reflecting on implementation realities that influence outcomes.
A simple but profound vision lies at the heart of the conference: to take collective action so that every mother and every newborn receives the quality care they deserve. Achieving this vision requires acknowledging where progress is happening, identifying where we are lagging, and adapting strategies in a manner that reflects the lived realities of health systems today.
A diverse programme will help drive this agenda. Starting with opening and closing plenaries, these events will highlight global progress and persistent challenges, while abstract sessions will present new findings aligned with the conference tracks. The Innovation Marketplace will showcase tools and approaches that offer new roads for service delivery. Likewise, the Engage and Exchange sessions will facilitate peer learning, allowing countries to compare operational barriers, share practical insights, and reflect on lessons from recent implementation cycles. Finally, Satellite sessions will provide opportunities for deeper exploration of priority areas through partner-led discussions.
As preparations continue, one message has become evident: progress in maternal and newborn health is achievable, but it requires a collective effort, sustained political commitment, and adaptive strategies that reflect today’s complex context.