The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) leads the Unite for Diabetes campaign, which aims to draw attention to the seriousness of diabetes and encourage action to fight the epidemic. Since its inception the campaign has aimed for a UN Resolution.

Professor Martin Silink, IDF President and Chair of the campaign, explained the importance of the Resolution: "Today a key battle has been won in the fight against diabetes. The significance is monumental. It will inspire, energize and empower the diabetes world. People said it couldn’t be done, but only six months since launching our campaign we have achieved our first goal. The struggle will now focus on helping and encouraging governments worldwide to develop national policies to improve diabetes care and prevention. I couldn’t think of a better gift for the millions of families affected by diabetes."

The Unite for Diabetes campaign has brought together the largest ever diabetes coalition, including patient organizations from over 150 countries, the majority of the world’s scientific and professional diabetes societies, many charitable foundations, service organizations and industry.

The People’s Republic of Bangladesh steered the diplomatic process that resulted in the passing of the Resolution. The cause was taken up by the G77 (a coalition of 133 developing and transitional countries at the UN led by the Republic of South Africa). The ownership of the Resolution by this majority voting bloc convinced the countries of the developed world to throw their support behind the Resolution.

The Resolution designates World Diabetes Day, November 14th, as a United Nations Day to be observed every year starting in 2007. It calls on all UN Member States to observe the day and on all nations to develop national policies for the prevention, treatment and care of diabetes.

Diabetes is a much-ignored but deadly disease, responsible for close to 4 million deaths every year. It is a leading cause of heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and amputation. The global diabetes community recently gathered in Cape Town, South Africa for its triennial World Diabetes Congress. Data released at the highly successful event show the serious extent of the epidemic and underscore the need for urgent action. Over 380 million people will live with diabetes by 2025 if significant action is not taken. The vast majority, more than 300 million, will live in developing countries.

"If nothing is done, it is the developing world that will once again bear the brunt of the world’s disease burden,". said Jean-Claude Mbanya, IDF President-Elect. "Governments worldwide must work with the diabetes community and society to tackle the problem. People with diabetes must be part of the solution. It is our hope that, with the recognition of the United Nations, the diabetes epidemic can now emerge from the shadows."