The Warren G. Magnuson Congress for a Global Diabetes Alliance convened October 21-23, 2007 in Seattle. The first of its kind, the Congress was designed to fill a critical gap in the diabetes research landscape by mobilizing 126 of the world's top diabetes scientists and research experts to (1) discuss the growing global diabetes epidemic and (2) create a Global Diabetes Alliance focused on securing funding for clinical research directed towards improving diabetes detection, treatment, and care for underserved populations.

At the Congress, participants explored potential pilot studies to feature in the Alliance's global research agenda. Particular attention was given to research questions on (a) whether ß-cell dysfunction is the same in high risk populations, (b) if a polypill will reduce complications from diabetes, (c) how nutrition and exercise relate to the reduction of symptoms of diabetes in different populations, (d) how increasing awareness of prevention strategies impact health outcomes in culturally and socially different circumstances, and (e) what culturally appropriate approaches are available to improving diabetes prediction, prevention, and treatment therapies worldwide.

The Congress Program Committee was tasked at the closing session of the congress to assemble a planning team to guide the formation and governance of the Global Diabetes Alliance, which will seek to advance the global research agenda in accordance with the Seattle Diabetes Declaration and secure the funds necessary for its implementation.