Diabetes Action Now, a joint initiative of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to stimulate action to address the growing burden of diabetes, especially in low- and middle-income countries and communities. The programme, based at the World Health Organization offices in Geneva, Switzerland, is supported by WHO funds and a grant from the World Diabetes Foundation. As reported previously in Diabetes Voice, Diabetes Action Now was launched in May 2004, with the release of new WHO figures on the number of deaths attributable to diabetes and a short advocacy booklet outlining key messages about the condition, its management and prevention. One year on, Amanda Marlin and Nigel Unwin offer an update on the achievements of the programme so far and look forward to future initiatives.