The Western Pacific Region of the international diabetes body encompasses 38 countries and territories, with representative bodies in 14 countries including Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Tonga.
The four-day medical meeting will be held from August 18 to August 21, 2026 at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The event is worth an estimate $13 million to the Victorian economy.
Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) led the successful bid in partnership with the Australian Diabetes Society, Diabetes Australia, and the Australian Diabetes Educators Association.
The bid also had support from the Victorian state government and Australia’s national subvention fund, the Business Events Bid Fund, which is administered by Tourism Australia through their specialist unit, Business Events Australia.
Diabetes is the fastest-growing chronic health condition in Australia and within the Western Pacific region, 206 million adults have diabetes.
“This congress could not come at a more urgent time for Australians living with diabetes,” said Diabetes Australia group chief executive, Justine Cain.
“Hosting this congress sends a clear message: diabetes is a national and global health emergency, and we are committed to working with the world’s best minds to deliver impact and innovation.
“This congress is a chance to hear and learn from the world’s leading researchers, clinicians and health professionals, elevate the voices of people living with diabetes and shape policies that will save lives and reduce the burden of diabetes on our health system.”
The conference will also seek to bolster work that improves the lives of those who have diabetes and prevent those at risk from developing the disease.
Melbourne hosted the World Diabetes Congress in 2013, which resulted in a commitment from more than 50 parliaments from around the world to support the global fight against diabetes and the establishment of a global framework to help governments around the world collaborate on diabetes issues.
“Melbourne’s selection as the host city is a testament to our city’s reputation as a global hub for international association conferences and medical research, especially in the field of diabetes,” said MCB’s chief executive, Julia Swanson.
“With world-class facilities, leading experts and a dynamic academic community, Melbourne fosters unparalleled collaboration and innovation to ensure the success of global meetings.”
