It is a bittersweet pleasure to be presiding over the
International Diabetes Federation upon the launch
of this sixth edition of the IDF Diabetes Atlas. The
evidence published herein on the millions of people
swept up by the diabetes pandemic vindicates the
Federation’s relentless efforts to promote solutions
to this worldwide health crisis. Previous editions
of the Atlas were a crucial tool in the successful
campaign for a UN Resolution on diabetes and
our figures informed the subsequent political
declaration on non-communicable diseases. We
have achieved much: diabetes is now firmly on
the highest of decision-making agendas. But the
figures in this edition are a harsh reminder of how
far we still have to go.