Colleagues from the International Diabetes Federation and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community:
Members of international nongovernmental organizations;
Representatives of national diabetes societies;
Friends from academia and patient support groups;
Distinguished participants;
Ladies and gentlemen:
Tomorrow is a critical day. For the first time in the history of WHO, diabetes will be the global theme of World Health Day.
It is heartening to see so many dedicated professionals here, working together against this common enemy.
Never before have we convened a meeting of front-line stakeholders like this one. The fact that you all paid your own way to be here confirms my conviction — that WHO must do MORE to bring together allies in the fight against diabetes.
Indeed, many groups and organizations are ready to take bolder steps. They are ready to do their part to help reduce the burden for the hundreds of millions of people with diabetes or serious risk factors.
We cannot wait any longer to act, especially in the Western Pacific Region. The death toll from high blood glucose-related conditions has risen faster in our Region than anywhere else.
Worldwide, the diabetes epidemic has been fuelled by changes in lifestyle — especially eating habits and exercise — as societies have developed.
There is also evidence that chemicals known as persistent organic pollutants may have played a role. These man-made substances have been widely used in many industries — which makes exposure hard to avoid, especially in contaminated food chains.
For these and many other reasons, we need more than clinical interventions or stand-alone policies to halt the rise of diabetes. Combating the disease requires partnership and collaboration among the entire society. Governments, clinicians and the health system must pull together diverse stakeholders to focus on different aspects of the prevention and management of diabetes.
As professionals and experts, your leadership is essential to inspire families, communities and societies to take the bold steps needed to control diabetes.
I am hopeful that this meeting will speed up the pace of change in the Western Pacific Region. I envision the development of a network for action, innovation and transformation.
I would also like to see a Declaration on Diabetes. It is important to capture this spirit of partnership that can trigger widespread change.
As members of this network, no one is better qualified than you to light the flame of inspiration.
As a Region, we are no longer in denial about the size and scope of the challenge of diabetes. We face the hard decisions and even harder commitments in a battle we cannot afford to lose.
Working together on the front lines — however — I am more convinced than ever that we can stop the rise of diabetes … and the needless suffering and death it causes.
Thank you.