International Diabetes Federation (IDF) / Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Regional International Diabetes Conference, Doha - Qatar (December 14-16, 2012)

In cooperation with Action on Diabetes Project as a main sponsor and coordination with the leading companies, who are committed to support health care in the Gulf region, Qatar Diabetes Association member of Qatar Foundation, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regional Diabetes conference was held from 14th to 16th of December, 2012 at Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) in Doha - Qatar. It was an important diabetes event at regional level and a successful effort to highlight the prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed cases with diabetes, mortality rate due to diabetes, barriers in achieving standards of diabetes care and the status of research and development and use of modern techniques in this specific region. The motto of the conference was to provide health care professionals a common ground in order to share the latest updates of diabetes, discuss the issues in diabetes care and management and take possible actions to overcome the epidemic of diabetes. More than 500 delegates from all over the MENA region and speakers from 24 different states were invited. The first day of the conference was marked with the registration of participants and opening remarks of the congress. The inaugural speech was given by Prof. Adel El Sayed from Egypt. He also explained the agenda of the sessions.