Welcome Message

Dear Colleagues and Friends of the Diabetes Community,

It is our pleasure to welcome you to the 10^th International Diabetes Federation-Western Pacific Regions Congress held jointly with the 6^th Asian Association for the Study of Diabetes Meeting. This congress brings together all involved in diabetes care, education, management and research from within and outside the Western Pacific  Region which is the largest and most diverse culturally, economically and politically of all the seven IDF regions.

The alignment of an AASD meeting with that of the IDF-WPR is only the second in history, after Kyoto, Japan in 2012; and offers the opportunity for clinicians and educators to mingle and share ideas and learn from scientists and researchers from the region.

We have put together a scientific program that will excite and be intellectually stimulating for everyone attending; from the latest in basic science to the newest in clinical therapeutics of diabetes. The congress is organised into four parallel tracks over three full days encompassing clinical diabetes and therapeutics, diabetes education, nutrition, behaviour and exercise and basic science and disease mechanisms. There will be two Presidential Plenary Lectures following on from the first joint meeting in Kyoto in 2012. Professor Juliana Chan from The Chinese University of Hong Kong and Prince of Wales Hospital will deliver a clinical topic – “An Asian diabetes phenotype or a phenotype in transition” on the first day of the Congress while Professor Matsato Kasuga from Japan will speak on a basic science topic – “A journey to elucidate the insulin signalling network for understanding diabetes”.

There will be 80 oral presentations and close to 500 poster presentations throughout the three days of the congress.  We look forward to hearing about the exciting work being done in the region, and around the world.  Do join us for the Presidential Poster sessions held daily at 3.30pm at the Poster Exhibition Area where a selection of the best of poster submissions will be discussed.

Do make plans to attend the pre-congress day which will feature workshops on Insulin Pump and Sensor Technology, Bariatric Surgery, Insulin Initiation and Titration, and Diabetes Nutrition encompassing DAFNE (Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating). These workshops are complimentary for congress delegates, but space is limited. There will also be a symposium on Clinical Diabetes Education for Diabetes Nurse Educators which requires separate registration and fee. So do plan to come early!

Also, visit the Exhibition Hall – more than 30 companies and organisations will showcase the latest and most innovative technology and resources available for diabetes.

Lastly, this congress will not be complete without you making time to take in the sights and sounds of amazing Singapore, with the congress centre not far from the award winning Gardens-by-the-Bay, Marina Bay Sands Casino-Resort, the Singapore Flyer, Orchard Road Shopping belt and great food everywhere!

Thank you for joining us in Singapore and contributing new knowledge about diabetes so that we can work together to reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with this devastating disease!

A/Professor Lee Chung Horn MBBS, MCRP (UK), FAMS Scientific Committee Chairman, Local Organising Committee 10th IDF-WPR Congress | 6th AASD Scientific Meeting 2014	A/Professor Tai E Shyong MB ChB; PhD Scientific Committee Chairman, Local Organising Committee 10th IDF-WPR Congress | 6th AASD Scientific Meeting 2014