DIABETES peak bodies have welcomed the opportunity to hold the International Diabetes Federation Western Pacific Region (IDF WPR) Congress 2026 in Melbourne, hailing it as a "major win for Australia's diabetes community".
The Congress is the region's most significant diabetes event and will be held in conjunction with the Australasian Diabetes Congress (ADC).
The events will be co-hosted by Diabetes Australia, Australian Diabetes Society and Australian Diabetes Educators Association.
The event is expected to attract more than 2,500 global leaders in diabetes care, research, education and advocacy to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre over four days from Aug 18-21 next year.
Delegates will include clinicians, researchers, policy experts, educators and people living with diabetes from across the Western Pacific, the IDF's largest and most affected region.
With 215 million adults in the Western Pacific now living with diabetes, which is the fastest growing chronic condition in Australia, the Congress will serve as a critical platform for accelerating action, shaping policy and forging new collaborations to improve outcomes for people living with or at risk of diabetes.
Globally, one person is diagnosed with diabetes every three seconds, with more than 300 people diagnosed in Australia every day, said Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain.
It costs the Australian health system around $14.6b each year.
"Hosting this Congress sends a clear message: diabetes is a national and global health emergency, and we are committed to working with the world's best minds to deliver impact and innovation," Cain said.
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