This document, Vital Roles of Nurses and Midwives in the Western Pacific Region, showcases some of the key contributions of nurses and midwives towards improving the health of people in the Region. Included are case studies that demonstrate the diverse roles they play in addressing evolving challenges and providing quality care. Optimizing their contribution will require concerted and sustained efforts to maximize their functions within multidisciplinary health-care teams. To this end, the Vital Roles document outlines future policy directions for strengthening the scope and leadership of the nursing and midwifery workforce, alongside actions to accelerate investment in their education, skills and employment.