ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda, LONDON—The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) recently announced at the United Nations that the countries of Bangladesh, Guyana and Nigeria will officially serve as co-hosts for the first ever Global Summit for Eye Health, along with the previously announced host country of Antigua and Barbuda. The Summit will be held on November 2 in technical collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) with support provided by the IAPB. “We look forward to working closely with our new co-hosts as we make history by delivering the world’s first Global Summit for Eye Health,” said Michael Joseph, minister of health, Antigua and Barbuda. “Together, we are looking to turn ambition into action for over one billion people experiencing avoidable or treatable sight loss.”
The Global Summit for Eye Health will convene senior leaders from government, private and public sectors, NGOs and funding institutions to drive progress for eye health for all under three pillars: act, allocate, accelerate—catalyzing commitments to integrate eye health into national development plans, increase sustainable financing and scale proven solutions, according to the announcement. Organizers also said the event will serve as a moment of accountability and ambition, challenging leaders to translate commitments into tangible progress for communities around the world.
The inclusion of Nigeria, Bangladesh and Guyana as co-hosts injects powerful political momentum, broadens regional representation, and recognizes these nations’ international and domestic leadership on eye health, the announcement said.
State Minister for Health, Dr. M A Muhit MP, Bangladesh, said: “The Global Summit for Eye Health is designed to accelerate progress worldwide and it is a privilege to play a central role delivering global change as co-hosts for this important event.”
Taking place at the same time as the biannual Commonwealth Head of Government meeting, the first of its kind Global Summit for Eye Health will unite governments, partners and global leaders to ensure everyone, everywhere can access the eye care they need, the announcement said.
Global leaders attending the Summit are expected to unveil concrete commitments to strengthen eye health services, aligning global action and accelerating progress toward providing universal eye health services for all.
Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, co-operative Republic of Guyana, said: “We are proud to stand alongside our new co hosts as we deliver the first Global Summit for Eye Health. Together with all our partners, we can turn global momentum that has built over recent years into meaningful action for millions of people living with avoidable sight loss.”
“I’m delighted to welcome Bangladesh, Guyana and Nigeria as co hosts of the first ever Global Summit for Eye Health,” said Jessica Thompson, deputy CEO, IAPB. “Every $1 invested in eye health can yield up to a $28 return. This is one of the best healthcare investments possible and I urge governments and leaders to seize the opportunity and submit bold, measurable commitments ahead of the Summit in November.”
As of press time, the Global Summit for Eye Health has several high impact partners including CBM (Christian Blind Mission), The Chen Yet-Sen Family Foundation, CooperVision, Cure Blindness Project, The Fred Hollows Foundation, National Vision, Orbis International, RestoringVision, Santen, Seva Foundation and Sightsavers.
“We welcome the opportunity work more closely with our partners as co-hosts of the Global Summit for Eye Health,” said Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, coordinating minister of health and social welfare, Federal Government of Nigeria. “Momentum is building and we look forward to playing our part making change happen at speed and scale.”
