In a significant win for Australia’s diabetes neighborhood, the Worldwide Diabetes Federation Western Pacific Area (IDF WPR) Congress 2026 can be held in Melbourne, led by Australia’s main diabetes organisations.
The Congress is the area’s most important diabetes occasion and can be held along with the Australasian Diabetes Congress (ADC). The occasions can be co-hosted by Diabetes Australia, Australian Diabetes Society and Australian Diabetes Educators Affiliation.
The occasion is anticipated to draw greater than 2,500 international leaders in diabetes care, analysis, schooling and advocacy to the Melbourne Conference and Exhibition Centre over 4 days from August 18-21. Delegates will embody clinicians, researchers, coverage consultants, educators and folks residing with diabetes from throughout the Western Pacific, the IDF’s largest and most affected area.
With 215 million adults within the Western Pacific now residing with diabetes, which is the fastest-growing power situation in Australia, the Congress will function a crucial platform for accelerating motion, shaping coverage and forging new collaborations to enhance outcomes for folks residing with or vulnerable to diabetes.
“This Congress couldn’t come at a extra pressing time for Australians residing with diabetes,” mentioned Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain.
“Globally, one particular person is recognized with diabetes each 3 seconds. In Australia, greater than 300 persons are recognized each day.
“The affect of this pricey situation is being felt throughout the nation. Internet hosting this Congress sends a transparent message: diabetes is a nationwide and international well being emergency, and we’re dedicated to working with the world’s finest minds to ship affect and innovation.”
“This congress is an opportunity to listen to and be taught from world-leading researchers, clinicians and well being professionals. It’ll elevate the voices of individuals residing with diabetes and form insurance policies that can save lives and cut back the burden of diabetes on our well being system,” Ms Cain mentioned.
Diabetes prices the Australian well being system round $14.6 billion annually. Specialists warn that with out coordinated motion the financial and social toll will proceed to escalate.
Affiliate Professor Sof Andrikopoulos, CEO of the Australian Diabetes Society, mentioned the Western Pacific area is on the epicentre of the worldwide diabetes disaster.
“This Congress is a chance to showcase the newest analysis and evidence-based improvements in prevention, therapy and administration. From cutting-edge therapeutics to built-in fashions of care, this system will assist sensible outcomes for well being programs and folks residing with diabetes.”
“Australian researchers are already main the way in which in diabetes expertise and medical apply. The Congress will foster the crucial change of data throughout borders and disciplines.”
Australian Diabetes Educators Affiliation CEO Susan Davidson mentioned credentialled diabetes educators (CDEs) and different well being professionals from across the area would collect in Melbourne for the Congress which is a crucial skilled studying alternative.
“There’s an pressing want in Australia and the Western Pacific area for higher entry to CDE providers and internet hosting this convention in Melbourne will allow well being professionals within the area to be taught concerning the newest and most important developments in diabetes administration and care, in addition to develop their skilled networks and knowledge-share with their regional colleagues.”
“Aligning the IDF Congress with ADC will proceed to make sure CDEs and different well being professionals have entry to the freshest recommendation for folks residing with diabetes,” Ms Davidson mentioned.
The Melbourne Conference Bureau (MCB) joined within the profitable bid for the IDF WPR Congress, with assist from the Victorian Authorities and Tourism Australia’s Enterprise Occasions Bid Fund Program.
