KUCHING: Leading diabetes experts from around the world will gather here this October for Diabetes Asia 2026 to advance prevention, treatment and patient care across Asia.
The three-day hybrid conference, organised by the National Diabetes Institute (NADI) with support from Business Events Sarawak, will be held at Voco Kuching by IHG from October 15 to 17.
According to the International Diabetes Federation, diabetes affects approximately 4.75 million Malaysian adults, or 21.1 per cent of those aged between 20 and 79 years. Worldwide, an estimated 589 million adults are living with the disease, with the figure projected to increase to 853 million by 2050.
Chairman of the Diabetes Asia 2026 Conference, Emeritus Professor Datuk Mustaffa Embong, said the meeting comes at a time when rapid advances in diabetes care require healthcare professionals to continually expand their knowledge.
“Diabetes care is evolving faster today than at any time in history. From breakthrough medicines and digital health technologies to a deeper understanding of the disease itself, healthcare professionals must continuously update their knowledge if patients are to fully benefit from these advances,” he said in a press statement on Thursday (July 30).
Mustaffa said NADI’s Continuing Professional Development Series has spent more than two decades strengthening diabetes care across Malaysia and the region.
“We are honoured to bring Diabetes Asia 2026 to Kuching, where local and international experts can come together to build new collaborations, inspire innovation and ultimately improve the quality of life for people living with diabetes,” he said.
The conference will bring together healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, industry leaders and allied health practitioners through both physical and virtual participation to encourage wider regional collaboration.
Its scientific programme will feature plenary lectures, symposiums, expert case discussions and Meet the Professor sessions covering obesity management, GLP-1 therapies, diabetes technology, precision medicine, nutrition, mental health and paediatric diabetes.
International speakers from Hong Kong, India, New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, Belgium, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States will join about 30 Malaysian specialists.
Mustaffa said hosting the conference reflects Sarawak’s growing reputation as a destination for international medical and scientific meetings.
“Hosting Diabetes Asia 2026 reflects Sarawak’s growing reputation as a destination for international medical and scientific conferences. Beyond the exchange of knowledge, delegates will experience Sarawak’s unique culture and hospitality while contributing to the state’s growing business events economy,” he said.
Registration for both physical and virtual participation remains open. Researchers may submit abstracts until Sept 1, with outstanding presentations eligible for awards of up to RM3,000.
