Welcome to the 20th World Diabetes Congress
On behalf of the Board of the International Diabetes Federation, we cordially invite you to the 20th World Diabetes Congress, to be hosted in Montreal, Canada on 18-22 October 2009.
The global diabetes community will gather once more to exchange state-of-the-art knowledge and enjoy professional networking opportunities - a wonderful occasion for us all to make new friends and catch up with old friends, acquaintances and colleagues from around the diabetes world. In this electronic and virtual age the need to seize the perfect chance to meet face to face seems increasingly important. The World Diabetes Congress provides the ideal platform for all diabetes stakeholders to connect in person.
The last World Diabetes Congress, in Cape Town in 2006, attracted more than 12,000 participants as well as the key representatives from our industry partners. The Cape Town congress ensured that the International Diabetes Federation left a diabetes legacy in Africa; a conscious effort that we aim to continue in North America. An immediate follow-up to the congress in South Africa was the passing of the United Nations Resolution on Diabetes: a landmark event for the diabetes community. For the first time, we all joined forces under the banner of the “unite for diabetes” movement to call for increased recognition of diabetes as a serious disease with severe global impact. It was a signal of just what we can achieve when we come together to achieve a common goal.
By October 2009, almost three years will have passed since the passage of Resolution 61/225. The 20th World Diabetes Congress will be an ideal opportunity to let the world know where we stand and put forward recommendations and draw up plans in the continued fight against the pandemic.
Canada, as we all know, is the birthplace of insulin. The work of Banting, Best, MacCleod and Collip in the early 1920s was one of the most significant and revolutionary moments in medicine. It is an honour and privilege to bring the World Diabetes Congress to a place of such historical importance to the diabetes world.
At the 20th World Diabetes Congress the global diabetes community and political leaders, committed to improving healthcare in their countries, will come together to share knowledge, experience and ideas.
The International Diabetes Federation takes on the challenge of ensuring that we satisfy the high standards that participants have come toexpect.
Professor Martin Silink
President,
International Diabetes Federation
Professor Jean Claude Mbanya
President-Elect,
International Diabetes Federation