About IGN
The Iodine Global Network is a non-profit, non government organization working for the sustainable elimination of iodine deficiency worldwide. We are the organization that works to ensure that salt is iodized forever, protecting the health and developing brains and learning ability of children everywhere.
What we do
We support and catalyze global and national iodine programs, working with key public, private, scientific and civic stakeholders.
Learn moreHow we work
1
We support and strengthen national iodine nutrition programs through review, guidance, technical support, and communication
2
We work in partnership to draw global and national attention to the problem and leverage resources to ensure programs are sustainable and equitable
3
We find innovative ways to improve programs and protect progress through better use of data
4
We work with leading research organizations to learn more about iodine deficiency and make programs more effective
5
Our small team and low administrative costs allow most of our funding to go directly to programs
Unsplash Bhutan Bagdi
Historical milestones
1960
The World Health Organization (WHO) presents the first comprehensive review of goiter on world scale, underlining the severity of the problem. However in spite of the successful elimination of IDD in a number of industrialized countries, only very slow progress is made in developing countries during the next 15 years.
1974
The World Food Council is the first of a number of international organizations over the next decade to call for the elimination of goiter.
1983
The concept of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) is introduced with emphasis on the effects of iodine deficiency on brain function.
1985
With support from UNICEF, WHO & Australian government the ICCIDD is founded in order to bridge the gap between available knowledge and its application.
1987
The United Nations Sub-Committee on Nutrition establishes an IDD Working Group to receive an Annual Report of Progress.
1990
The 43rd World Health Assembly in Geneva recognizes IDD elimination as a major priority. The UN World Summit for Children, attended by 71 Heads of State and representatives of 15 governments, adopts a plan action that includes the virtual elimination of IDD by the year 2000.
1991
Ending Hidden Hunger: A major policy conference on Micronutrient Malnutrition, takes place in Montreal, Canada.
1992
The 45th World Health Assembly and the WHO-FAO International Conference on Nutrition Commitment confirmed.
1993
The National Advocacy Meeting in China organized with ICCIDD support launched the largest USI and IDD Elimination effort in the world with full endorsement of the Prime Minister in the Great Hall of the People.
2000
Salt2000 the major gathering of industrialists in the salt trade endorses USI and IDD Elimination. The Global Network on Sustained Elimination of IDD was formed comprised of: ICCIDD, WHO, UNICEF, Salt Institute, EuSalt, Kiwanis International, Micronutrient Initiative, Emory University, US CDC.
2001
The Network for the Sustained Elimination of Iodine Deficiency founded in Paris, France.
2002
UNGASS, the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Children. ICCIDD attends in partnership with the UN University and helps to draft strongly endorsed commitment of Member States on USI as a strategy to eliminate IDD and endorses the goal of the Global Summit.
2003
ICCIDD organized and led an international meeting of more than 20 health ministers in Beijing on the sustained elimination of IDD with reports from most Asian countries, plus Nigeria, Iran, Russia, Ecuador and Guatemala.
2005
ICCIDD attends and works with Delegations at The World Health Assembly which adopts Resolution 58.24 in May to require all Member States to report every three years on iodine nutrition status, the first ever.
2007
As an NGO in Consultative Status with the UN, ICCIDD leads the effort of the Global Network in a Special Event at UNGASS II called to review progress on children; 20 Member States attend at senior levels.
2008
Iodization of salt to eliminate IDD is seen by the Copenhagen Consensus as one of the most economical efforts in international development.
2009
ICCIDD leaders address the 9th International Salt Symposium which renewed commitments of private sector salt producers commitment to USI and IDD Elimination. ICCIDD leaders also assisted national scientific meeting of Government to confirm USI as strategy and formulate adjustments to accommodate successful progress.
2010
ICCIDD celebrates 25 years of work and creates Basil Hetzel International Award for Communications on iodine nutrition.
2012
Iodization of salt to eliminate IDD is again confirmed by leading economists in the Copenhagen Consensus as one of the best investment strategies in international development.
The ICCIDD Global Network is formed from consolidation of ICCIDD and the Network for Sustained Elimination of Iodine Deficiency, creating a powerful new alliance to assist countries in reaching the goal of sustained elimination of IDD.
The ICCIDD Global Network is formed from consolidation of ICCIDD and the Network for Sustained Elimination of Iodine Deficiency, creating a powerful new alliance to assist countries in reaching the goal of sustained elimination of IDD.
2014
The ICCIDD Global Network changes its name to Iodine Global Network.
