Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA) Diabetes Leadership Forum
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

On 12-13 December 2010, more than 425 decision-makers, representatives of international and regional organisations (World Health Organization, World Bank, OECD), foundations, media, experts and leading members of the diabetes community from 22 MENA countries (Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Palestinian National Authority, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE and Yemen) gathered to find solutions to the growing burden of diabetes on the region’s people and healthcare systems.

The Forum was organised under the high patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Finance Minister of the UAE. The Forum was hosted by the UAE Ministry of Health in collaboration with the executive board of the Health Ministers’ Council for Cooperation Council (GCC) States, the World Diabetes Foundation (WDF) and the World Bank, and supported by a wide range of leading health organisations: Dubai Health Authority, Health Authority-Abu Dhabi (HAAD), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Emirates Diabetes Society, the Gulf Group for the Study of Diabetes, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Awards for Medical Sciences, the Imperial College London, the Joslin Diabetes Center, the Steno Diabetes Center and the MENA Health Policy Forum. Al-Arabiya, the International Herald Tribune and Forbes Middle East were media partners. Novo Nordisk sponsored and organised the MENA Diabetes Leadership Forum which took place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

President Bill Clinton, founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation and 42nd President of the United States, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and His Excellency Dr Hanif Hassan Ali Al Qassim, UAE Health Minister, and Dr Ala Alwan, assistant director-general for NCDs and mental health at the WHO, served as keynote speakers.

Discussions focused on diabetes awareness, prevention, early detection, quality of care and effective systems that would reduce the economic burden of diabetes, public-private partnerships, early origins of health, and the role of the food industry. The sessions of the event included keynote speeches, panel discussions and best practice presentations. There were also several break-out sessions that took place during the two-day event. Approximately 80 journalists attended the event.

The main outcome of the Forum was the adoption of the Dubai Declaration on Diabetes and Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases in the Middle East and Northern Africa Region (hereafter referred as the ”Dubai declaration”). The Dubai Declaration was drafted by the UAE Ministry of Health, the executive board of the Health Ministers' Council for GCC States, the WHO, the World Bank, the WDF and the IDF. It has been endorsed by all co-hosts, the IDF and,at this stage, by all GCC States. National delegations present at the Forum also discussed national roadmaps, commitments and follow-up activities during the sessions that took place on the last day of the Forum.