It is with deep humility and renewed commitment that I step into the role of Executive Director of the International Pediatric Association (IPA) for the 2025–2027 term. Having previously served as President of IPA and as a long-standing committee member since 2007, Coordinator of development, Executive director, IPA (2019-21), I’m happy to support Prof Joseph Haddad and the Executive Committee. This opportunity represents both a continuation and an evolution of my journey in global child health advocacy.
The International Pediatric Association has a rich legacy — one that spans over a century, beginning in 1910 in Paris under the visionary leadership of Victor Henri Hutinel. Today, IPA stands as the only global umbrella organization of its kind, bringing together 164 National Pediatric Societies from 149 countries and representing over one million pediatricians committed to the health and well-being of more than 2 billion children worldwide.
During my tenure as President (2023–2025), we made significant strides in shaping IPA’s future. Grounded in the theme “Reaching Every Child”, our vision was clear: to reach every pediatrician in order to reach every child. We embraced a life-course approach — from birth through adolescence — and prioritized key cross-cutting areas such as immunization, environmental and climate health, early childhood development, humanitarian and crisis response, and quality of care for every child, everywhere.
We institutionalized this vision through pediatricians and global experts in collaborative efforts to address pressing pediatric health challenges. A core component of our mission has been the promotion of gender equity, inclusivity, and excellence in governance — values that will continue to guide us moving forward.
Our strengthened collaborations with WHO, UNICEF, FIGO, ICM, COINN, and other global stakeholders enable us to amplify advocacy and implement impactful projects. Through regional workshops, online education, we empower pediatricians with evidence-based tools and strengthened capacity at every level.
Now, as Executive Director, I remain steadfast in our shared mission.
I look forward to building on the foundation laid by our dedicated leadership and member societies. Our focus in the years ahead will continue to center on:
- Empowering the pediatric workforce globally
- Strengthening advocacy and knowledge dissemination
- Championing the rights and health of every child, everywhere
The call to action is clear: to reach 2 billion children, we must first mobilize and connect over one million pediatricians.
Together, let us reaffirm our commitment to the global pediatric community.
Warm regards
Dr. Naveen Thacker
Executive Director, International Pediatric Association (2025-2027)
