Global Advocacy
Collective action in driving meaningful change
International Diabetes Federation (IDF) advocacy activities demonstrate the power of collective action in driving meaningful change for diabetes care and prevention.
Working closely with our Members, we are raising awareness, shaping the global health agenda and influencing policies on public health measures to tackle the growing prevalence of diabetes worldwide.
Partnering for better diabetes outcomes
Our projects and activities are the cornerstones of our advocacy actions. We aim to improve global access to diabetes care and promote diabetes prevention through targeted advocacy campaigns. To achieve this, we partner with expert UN agencies, leading international organisations, diabetes advocates and other key stakeholders.
By galvanising stakeholders in our advocacy actions, we can change the lives of people with diabetes and prevent the rise of type 2 diabetes.
Advocacy Academy
IDF has an extensive network of advocates and supporters who are key to the success of our campaigns and activities. The IDF Advocacy Academy was established to provide educational opportunities to build the advocacy capacity of our network of Blue Circle Voices and Young Leaders in Diabetes.
Learn more and meet our advocates
Advocacy events
Our advocacy events address diabetes-related challenges and are an opportunity to advocate for policies to improve the lives of people with diabetes and prevent the condition in those at risk.
Our advocacy team hosts an exciting range of in-person and online events, including workshops, webinars and bespoke masterclasses.
We have hosted and co-hosted advocacy webinars on diabetes education, policymaker engagement, messaging and strategies and universal health care (UHC).
Advocacy webinars
Kids and Diabetes in Schools
Launched in 2013, the Kids and Diabetes in School (KiDS) programme promotes a safe and supportive school environment for children with diabetes.
Starting early with diabetes education in schools and promoting healthy lifestyles can be a stepping-stone toward a diabetes-free future. Likewise, educating young people about diabetes removes misconceptions and stigma that children with diabetes face in school and leads to understanding and acceptance.
The KiDS programme has engaged 687,000 students and 27,000 teachers in 21 countries.
Learn more about KiDSLatest IDF advocacy resources
View all resources
Report
WHA79 Official Side Event Report: Gestational Diabetes and Beyond
Held on the margins of the 79th World Health Assembly, this side event jointly organised by the International Diabetes Federation, the International Society of Nephrology and the World Diabetes Foundation, explored how GDM can serve as a gateway to integrated cardiorenometabolic health across the life course, highlighting the role of primary healthcare in strengthening prevention, continuity of care and early detection of diabetes, chronic kidney disease and other related conditions.
0707_2026_WHA official Side event Report (1)
pdf
7MB
Report
WHA79 Side Event Report: Preventing childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes
Held during the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, this side event, co-hosted by the International Diabetes Federation, World Diabetes Foundation and World Obesity Federation, convened global leaders, policymakers, researchers and advocates to advance integrated action on childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes prevention, early diagnosis and healthier environments.
WHA Side event 2026_Report
pdf
6MB
Policy brief
Detect early, act early: Improving diagnosis of type 1 diabetes
A joint policy brief with the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) that provides advocates, healthcare professionals and policymakers with recommendations to advance type 1 diabetes screening and early diagnosis.
IDF-ISPAD-Policy Brief-T1D-screening-early-diagnosis-
pdf
2MB
Report
KiDS global survey on government policies addressing diabetes at school
In 2024, IDF invited its member associations to participate in a global survey on the reach of diabetes-related educational initiatives and policies in schools, to identify gaps and determine which countries have a policy implementation plan or policy and which do not.
KiDS Member Survey Report-Final
pdf
4MB
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Advocacy milestones
IDF has been instrumental in putting diabetes on the global agenda, raising awareness about the condition and advocating for policies supporting people with diabetes.
- 2006 – The UN passes Resolution 61/225 “World Diabetes Day” – the first for a non-communicable disease (NCD).
- 2011 – At the first UN HLM on NCDs, Member States pass a resolution to prioritise diabetes and other NCDs.
- 2013 – WHO aims for a 25% reduction in premature mortality from NCDs by 2025 and establishes nine voluntary targets to be achieved by 2025.
- 2014 – The second UN HLM on NCDs assesses the progress made by Member States in combating NCDs.
- 2015 – The adoption of SDGs as a part of the post-2015 development agenda. One target is to reduce premature mortality from NCDs by 30% by 2030.
- 2018 – The third UN HLM on NCDs evaluates Member States’ progress in achieving NCD commitments. IDF launches a call to action requesting governments to honour their 2011 commitments.
- 2019 – During the UN HLM on UHC, IDF launches a call to action emphasising the importance of UHC and how it can improve the lives of people with diabetes.
- 2022 – IDF and its networks are actively involved in consultations that lead to WHO member states agreeing five global diabetes coverage targets to be achieved by 2030.
- 2023 – IDF establishes official relations with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to improve diabetes education, prevention and care in the Americas.
- 2025 – IDF is actively involved in the Fourth UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs that results in a political declaration reaffirming the need to accelerate progress towards the WHO diabetes coverage targets and strengthen commitments to improve access to essential medicines and technologies.