The IDF World Diabetes Congress is the only global event that brings together the whole diabetes community. The Congress attracts over 12,000 scientists, health professionals, health ministers, policy-makers, industry, media, and people with diabetes and provides a global platform to share knowledge, the results of the latest in diabetes research, and common experiences.

In 2011, the Congress in Dubai shines a spotlight on the emergence of the Middle East and North Africa Region as one of the regions with the highest burden of diabetes. The United Arab Emirates, where Dubai is located, is one of the top ten countries with the highest prevalence (%) of diabetes. The World Diabetes Congress aims to encourage governments and local stakeholders to act. This Congress includes a new stream on Global Challenges in Health to focus on health policy and promoting solutions for diabetes.

The World Diabetes Congress in Dubai has already drawn an enthusiastic response from the global scientific community. Abstracts submitted to the Congress this year represent every part of the globe, with the largest submissions coming from India, one of the top ten countries with the most number of people with diabetes. The Africa Region, the Middle East and North Africa Region, and the South-East Asia Region have almost doubled the number of abstracts submitted from the previous congress, reflecting a substantial growth in the amount of research being conducted. At the close of the abstract submission period the World Diabetes Congress 2011 in Dubai had received 1,920 abstracts submitted by 1,442 authors.

Beyond scientific research, the World Diabetes Congress also strengthens the global diabetes community and links the work of member associations, people with diabetes, and health professionals to global advocacy to improve the lives of people with diabetes.

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