International Diabetes Federation at 79th WHO World Health Assembly

On 18-26 May, the World Health Organization (WHO) held its 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) was present and co-hosted two side events with global partners at the World Health Assembly.

The first event focused on tackling childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes through early-life interventions, prevention policies and stronger integration into national health strategies. A second event addressed gestational diabetes as an entry point for improving integrated reno-metabolic health and addressing broader noncommunicable diseases across the life course.

IDF continued its efforts to shape the global health agenda by advocating for integrated, person-centred approaches to diabetes and related metabolic and circulatory conditions at the World Health Assembly.

Several World Health Assembly agenda items relevant to the diabetes community, including kidney health, were addressed through constituency statements on the Political Declaration for the UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs, universal health coverage, primary healthcare, sustainable development under the 2030 Agenda, and global health architecture reform.

• 12.1 Political Declaration on HLM on NCDs – one delivered by ISN and another by NCDA
• 12.4 UHC – delivered by WSO, focusing on the stroke resolution
• 12.5 Primary healthcare – one on dental care delivered by IADR, another delivered by NCDA, and another by IAPO
• 12.6 Health in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – delivered by WHF
• 20.1 Reform of the Global Health Architecture and UN80 initiative – delivered by NCDA

The World Health Assembly also adopted two resolutions relevant to the diabetes community, reflecting growing recognition of the links between diabetes and broader metabolic and circulatory health challenges.

Delegates approved a resolution recognising steatotic liver disease (SLD), formerly known as fatty liver disease, as a major and rapidly growing NCD challenge. Affecting an estimated 1.7 billion people worldwide, SLD is closely linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other metabolic conditions. The resolution calls for SLD to be integrated into national NCD strategies and for stronger prevention, primary healthcare and action on shared risk factors.

The 79^th WHA also adopted the first-ever World Health Assembly resolution on stroke, calling for stronger action on prevention, acute care, rehabilitation and health system readiness. This is particularly important for the diabetes community as diabetes is a risk factor for stroke and often coexists with hypertension, obesity and cardiovascular disease.

Together, these resolutions reinforce the importance of integrated, person-centred approaches that strengthen prevention, early detection and care across the full spectrum of metabolic and circulatory health.

Download the statements below.