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At the International Maternal and Newborn Health Conference (IMNHC 2026) in Nairobi, more than 1,800 experts from 87 countries came together with renewed urgency and purpose, sharing new evidence and solutions to accelerate progress in women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health. Across sessions, a clear priority emerged: scaling up proven, life-saving interventions and innovations rapidly and at scale to close persistent gaps and reach the 2030 targets.
Stakeholders called for a decisive shift from commitments to implementation, grounded in data, country ownership, and practical solutions that can deliver impact where it is most needed. This momentum was reflected in strong political engagement, including the participation of 40 government delegations.
Financing was a central theme throughout the conference. In the face of declining external aid, discussions highlighted both innovative financing approaches and the urgent need to strengthen domestic resource mobilization to sustain progress. African leaders in particular framed this moment as a turning point and an opportunity to drive more strategic, country-led investments. This perspective was powerfully captured in the opening plenary by Dr. Jean Kaseya, who stated: “A continent that cannot protect its mothers and children cannot claim full sovereignty over its future.”
Political momentum was further reinforced by parliamentarians from 11 African countries, who issued a joint statement committing to strengthened legislative action for maternal and newborn health, underscoring growing accountability. As Hon. Lilani Brinkman, MP of Namibia emphasized: “Preventable maternal and newborn deaths remain far too high. And that is not just a health failure, it is a leadership failure.”
A key moment for PMNCH was the panel on financing action on extreme heat and maternal and newborn health, as part of a session organized with WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, the European Union and Innovate UK under the HIGH Horizons project. The discussion explored how extreme heat is affecting maternal and newborn health outcomes and emphasized the role of innovative financing in building climate-resilient health systems. The session emphasized the necessity to strengthen domestic resource mobilization to sustain progress across sectors. As Dr Andrew Likaka, Chief of Health Services at the Ministry of Health of Malawi, noted: “Domestic financing is not just a necessity – it is the foundation for sustainable and resilient maternal and newborn health systems. We must prioritize national investment alongside innovative financing mechanisms to ensure long-term impact.”
PMNCH also contributed to Voices for Change: Elevating Stillbirths on the Agenda. The session marked the launch of the first-ever State of Africa’s Stillbirths report and brought attention to an issue that has long remained under-recognized in policy and practice. With Africa accounting for nearly half of the world’s 1.9 million stillbirths each year, the discussion created an important platform for dialogue and action. A renewed focus on rights-based approaches and respectful care was also key to the discussions across MNH services, including stillbirths. PMNCH remains dedicated to elevating parent voices and lived experiences to drive advocacy for improved stillbirth prevention and support
The Key Advocacy Asks for IMNHC, developed by PMNCH with the United Advocacy Working Group for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, set out a clear path for accelerating progress across the continuum of care, emphasizing the need for urgent action, stronger alignment and sustained investments.
Overall, PMNCH’s engagement at IMNHC 2026 demonstrated the power of partnership in turning evidence into advocacy and action. By convening diverse voices and helping align partners around shared priorities, PMNCH contributed to building momentum for maternal and newborn health within the wider women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health agenda.