The first Global Summit for Eye Health has concluded, bringing together heads of government, health ministers and leaders from across the eye health community in a landmark show of political commitment to vision for everyone.
Over a single sitting, heads of government and health ministers from around 34 countries announced pledges in support of eye health, alongside representatives from international organisations, the private sector and civil society. A total of 200 commitments spanning 120 countries were formally announced.
Delegates also adopted The 1 Billion Pledge: the St John’s Global Compact for Eye Health, and endorsed the Pathway to Impact outcome document, which sets out how the commitments made at the Summit will be carried forward. A comprehensive Global Summit Report is expected in early December.
With myopia now one of the fastest growing contributors to the global burden of vision impairment, the gathering offered a valuable opportunity to raise its profile with new stakeholders and to position myopia within the broader eye health and public health agenda.
The Summit was hosted by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, with the Governments of Bangladesh, Guyana, Ireland and Nigeria as co-hosts, and convened in partnership with the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and the World Health Organization.
IMI will continue to work with partners across the sector to ensure that the momentum generated in St John’s translates into lasting progress on myopia prevention, management and access to care.
To learn more about the Summit and its outcomes, visit globalsummitforeyehealth.org