icm 2026
The Royal College of Midwives is proud to sponsor the International Confederation of Midwives 34th Triennial Congress — a global gathering dedicated to advancing excellence in midwifery care, strengthening maternal and newborn health, and supporting midwives around the world.
Sponsoring the ICM Congress reflects our ongoing commitment to international collaboration, professional development, and the advancement of midwifery as a vital healthcare profession.
Supporting Midwives Worldwide
The ICM Congress brings together thousands of midwives, educators, researchers, healthcare leaders, and policymakers from across the globe to share knowledge, inspire innovation, and address the key challenges facing maternity services today.
Through our sponsorship, the RCM aims to:
- Support global leadership in midwifery
- Promote equity in maternal and newborn healthcare
- Encourage knowledge sharing and international collaboration
- Highlight the essential role of midwives in improving health outcomes
- Invest in the future of the midwifery profession
Connect with the Royal College of Midwives at the Congress
Delegates attending the congress are invited to connect with the RCM team throughout the event.
We encourage you to review the below congress programme outlining RCM speaker sessions and poster presentations that you won’t want to miss (for the full detailed programme visit ICM 2026 | 34th ICM Triennial Congress, Lisbon, Portugal
Midwives one million more march
Saturday 13 June 15:30 – 18:30
Depart from Monument of Discoveries – parking area in front of CCL, Lisbon Portugal.
Join midwives from around the world and see RCM CEO Gill Waltons address delegates.
No pre registration required.
Plenary Session 1: One Million More Midwives – How midwives drive health systems forward
Monday 15 June, 09:00 – 10:30
RCM speaker: Jaki Lambert
Equity from birth: Addressing bias in neonatal assessment through midwifery leadership
Monday 15 June, 14:00 – 15:30, Pavilion 2
RCM speaker: Speaker: Janet Fyle
Essential midwifery skills: Diagnosing different types of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and providing compassionate, holistic, culturally sensitive, trauma-informed care
Tuesday 16 June, 11:00 – 12:30, Room 3E
RCM speaker: Speaker: Janet Fyle
SRHR – FGM
Tuesday 16 June, 16:00 – 17:30, Room 3B
RCM speaker: Speaker: Janet Fyle
Mapping the implementation of Midwifery Continuity of Carer (MCoC) model: A COM-B informed scoping review
Wednesday 16 June, 16:00 – 17:30, Room: 1.06
Presenter: Patience Gyampeh
RCM Poster presentations
Ruby Handley Stone (RCM Professional Advisor – Education)
Poster session 3 (Group B)
Session date & time: 17 June 2026, 17:30 – 18:30
Connecting the future: Empowering student midwifery societies through a national network
Julie Richards (RCM Director, Wales)
Poster session 3 (Group B)
Session date & time: 17 June 2026, 17:30 – 18:30
Leading with inclusion and compassion: The growth and impact of the midwifery leadership development group in Wales
Caitilin Wilson (Professional Advisor – Education and Career development)
Poster session 3 (Group B)
Session date & time: 17 June 2026, 17:30 – 18:30
Sustaining change; Improving culture: An evaluation of the long-term impact of the Royal College of Midwives’ Syndeo leadership programme for senior clinical leaders
We look forward to engaging with colleagues from around the world and celebrating the impact of midwifery on global health.
One Million More March
Alongside our presence at the congress, we will also be marching with midwives and allies at the One Million More March — a demonstration calling for safer staffing, fair pay, and investment in maternity services.
The march represents a collective voice for:
- Safe staffing levels across maternity services
- Recognition and value for midwives’ work
- Improved working conditions and retention
- High-quality, equitable care for women and families
Join the RCM in standing up for the profession and the future of maternity care.
RCM meeting point:
Time and location tbc