Welcome to Our New Affiliate Member: Federazione Nazionale Ordini Professione Ostetrica (FNOPO) 

ICM is delighted to welcome the Federazione Nazionale Ordini Professione Ostetrica (FNOPO) as our newest affiliate member. As the global voice for midwives, ICM brings together more than 136 professional midwives’ associations representing over one million midwives across 119 countries. Our member associations play a crucial role in shaping strong, autonomous midwifery professions within their countries. Through collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and collective advocacy, we work together to strengthen midwifery globally and improve outcomes for women, newborns, and gender diverse people. 

FNOPO—known in English as the National Federation of Italian Midwives—is Italy’s national regulatory body for the midwifery profession. Founded in 1946, FNOPO is composed of 56 regional and provincial Orders and is governed by a Central Committee. Each local Order is overseen by an elected council, while the national federation coordinates at the national level. FNOPO maintains strong partnerships with the Ministry of Health on regulation and with the Ministry of Education on matters of educational policy. FNOPO’s responsibilities are defined by Italian legislation, which mandates it to uphold the quality, professionalism, and ethical conduct of midwives through the maintenance of registers and verification of qualifications. It is a public, non-economic body that protects both the profession and the public it serves. FNOPO hosts regular meetings of the National Council and national congresses, which—although not required by official rules—have become an important part of its democratic life. These gatherings bring together the most active members from across Italy to connect and share ideas on midwifery issues and innovations. Each national congress is held in a different Italian city and helps shape the direction of future activities. 

Because FNOPO is a regulatory body, its membership status within ICM is that of an affiliate member. A While affiliate members have restricted rights—they do not vote at Council meetings or submit motions—they contribute to ICM’s mission by strengthening collaboration and professional representation. This partnership helps harmonise standards, share expertise, and collectively advance midwifery as a profession.