Thailand has been chosen to host the IDF World
Diabetes Congress 2025, one of the world's largest
conferences on the life-threatening disease.
Winning the IDF World Diabetes Congress 2025 is a major public health accomplishment for Thailand which is located in the Western Pacific region, where one in three of the world’s diabetic population live.
A successful collaborative bid between the Thailand Convention
and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and the Diabetes Association of Thailand secured the congress; the first time this event will be hosted in Southeast
Asia.
Why Thailand?
Thailand announced a 20-year strategy to become an
international medical hub, enhancing local public health along the way, with
diagnosing, treatment and managing diabetes high on the agenda.
The conference is expected to bring together 10,000
participants including diabetes doctors, nurses, nutritionists, healthcare
professionals, representatives from government agencies involved in public
health policymaking and healthcare systems as well as diabetic patients.
Dr Narong Saiwong, deputy permanent secretary of the
Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), said that in Thailand, there are about
300,000 new cases of diabetes per year. In 2022, studies showed that out of 3.3
million, only 29 per cent could control normal blood sugar levels.
Dr Saiwong added, “The Congress is a great opportunity for
healthcare professionals and diabetes patients in Thailand to exchange and
learn about new research and advancements in diabetes prevention, treatment,
and control."
The MoPH also provides knowledge and mental health care to
diabetic patients, as well as promoting behaviour changes for diabetes control
among individuals, households, and communities.
Economic stimulus and local legacy
For Thailand, the medical industry is one of the 'five
industries of the future', also known as the 'New S-Curve' industries. These are defined by intensive innovation and technology, including robotics, aviation and logistics, biofuels and biochemical, digital, and medical hubs that have a high potential to drive the
economy.
It is expected that IDF 2025 will attract 10,000 international participants,
directly generating more than US$12 million (420 million baht) in revenue for
the country.
The Congress is also forecast to help generate about US$23
million (800 million baht) in economic stimulus, contribute to gross domestic
products (GDP) by approximately US$12 million (440 million baht), creating
employment for approximately 560 jobs, and generating around US$770,000 (27
million baht) in tax revenue.
The IDF World Diabetes Congress 2025 will between 7-10 April
2025, at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center (BITEC).
