On April 14, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Global Diabetes Compact – a new framework for action on diabetes which aims to support countries in their efforts to prevent type 2 diabetes and ensure affordable treatment for everyone who needs it.
The Compact was launched during the Global Diabetes Summit, an event co-hosted by WHO, the Government of Canada and the University of Toronto. The event featured interventions from several Heads of State and high-level government representatives, including the President of Kenya and the Prime Ministers of Fiji, Norway and Singapore, who expressed their full support for the Compact. Other speakers included the WHO Global Ambassador for NCDs and Injuries, Michael R Bloomberg, and representatives from UN agencies and civil society.
IDF was represented by members of its Board, President Prof. Andrew Boulton and Vice-President Dr. Mark Barone, and several members of its networks of people living with diabetes. These included IDF Young Leaders in Diabetes Apoorva Gomber, Yemurai Machirori and Bruno Helman, IDF Young Leader Alumni Sana Ajmal, and IDF Blue Circle Voice members Pei Yan Heng, Cyrine Farhat, Nupur Lalvani, Heather Koga, Renza Scibilia, Osarenkhoe Ethel Chima-Nwogwugwu and Bridget McNulty.
Prof Andrew Boulton welcomed the launch of the Compact on behalf of the international diabetes community: “IDF welcomes WHO’s increased focus on diabetes at this time, and the launch of the Global Diabetes Compact. We look forward to seeing the diabetes community actively involved in the development and implementation of Compact activities. We pledge our support through our advocacy and awareness activities. This is a unique opportunity. Let us not waste it. We need to take action on diabetes now more than ever. If not now, when?”
