JANUARY 2011

A message from IDF CEO Ann Keeling

2011: A once-in-a-generation opportunity to change the future of diabetes

For the global diabetes community, 2011 looks set to be a landmark year. With over 300 million people with diabetes now and 500 million expected to have diabetes by 2030, the world is finally waking up to the reality of the global diabetes epidemic. We are finally on the cusp of turning a page in the history books of diabetes.

In nine months time, Heads of State and Government, representatives from NGOs and public health experts from across the globe will come together at the UN headquarters in New York to discuss solutions to the growing danger posed by diabetes and the related NCDs, and agree on future action to tackle the global epidemic head on. The UN Summit on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in September 2011 is an unprecedented opportunity to put diabetes and the other NCDs on the global health and development agenda, and secure commitments and a resource flow that finally matches the global epidemic.

The timing of our World Diabetes Congress is therefore ideal, convening the global diabetes community just weeks after the UN Summit. We are adding new dimensions and programme streams to the Congress to ensure it continues the momentum from the UN Summit, and ends 2011 on a high for IDF and the millions of people living with diabetes. Furthermore, the Congress is strategically located in one of the hotspots of the global diabetes epidemic, the Middle East and North Africa region, providing an opportunity for the region to have a two-way dialogue with the rest of the world on diabetes, access international experience and showcase regional good practice.

The future of diabetes and NCDs lies in our hands. The global diabetes and NCD community is moving now from saying that we have a problem to saying we know how to turn this epidemic around. We know what to do – we have the evidence, we have the cost-effective solutions, we have the tools and we have the skills. And with the UN Summit and the World Diabetes Congress, IDF now has the political platforms to move the world from rhetoric to action. I encourage you to be a part of the change and join the debate by participating in this milestone World Diabetes Congress in Dubai.

We count on your support and look forward to welcoming you at the World Diabetes Congress in Dubai in December 2011.

With kind regards,

Ann Keeling, CEO
International Diabetes Federation

CONGRESS INFORMATION

Registration

Register at the early rate and save up to EUR 200. If you register before 17 June 2011 you can benefit from an exceptionally low rate and the widest choice of hotel rooms close to the congress centre.

Call for abstracts

The World Diabetes Congress welcomes original abstracts on subjects relevant to the following congress streams:

• Clinical and Basic Science
• Education and Integrated Care
• Global Challenges in Health
• Health Systems and Epidemiology
• Life with Diabetes

More information regarding online abstract submission is available on our website.

Grant programme

As with previous congresses, the International Diabetes Federation is pleased to announce its Grant Programme that provides young scientists and researchers from emerging countries the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and share best practise with the global diabetes community.

Mark your calendar:

• 1 February 2011: Opening of online abstract submission and online grant application
• 20 April 2011: Deadline of online abstract submission and online grant application

Visa

IDF respects and values all cultures, and acknowledges the human rights of all people. It is important to the Federation that citizens from every country are welcome at our congresses. IDF always seeks assurances from the authorities that this will be the case and that the visa process will be as smooth as possible for people who choose to attend the World Diabetes Congress. Dubai issues a visa on arrival for 33 nationalities. For all other nationalities, visas will be issued prior to arrival and will require a period of 7 to 10 working days to process.

Read a message from the Government of Dubai regarding entry into the United Arab Emirates.

Celina Renner on behalf of the IDF congress team

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