Welcome to INSIGHT
Welcome to latest edition of INSIGHT, where we
share the recent developments from IAPB's Advocacy team as we move
ever closer to the Global Summit for Eye Health.
This edition reflects the remarkable progress being made across our
global community. From more countries stepping forward to develop
ambitious commitments, to the announcement of new Summit co-hosts and
the launch of the commitment portal, we are seeing eye health gain
unprecedented political attention. You'll also find updates on our
advocacy at the World Health Assembly and the UN High-Level Political
Forum, the launch of the World Sight Day 2026 campaign, and new
evidence on childhood myopia and the elimination of trachoma as a
public health problem in three additional countries.
Thank you for your continued leadership and commitment. Together,
we have a unique opportunity to turn evidence into action and ambition
into lasting commitments that will improve the lives of millions of
people around the world.
Jessica Thompson
Deputy Chief Executive
IAPB
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Millions protected from trachoma
World Health Organization
(WHO) has announced that Algeria, Australia and El
Salvador have eliminated trachoma as a public health problem,
bringing the total number of countries to 32 that
have reached this important milestone.
Trachoma is the world's leading infectious cause of blindness,
affecting some of the world's most vulnerable and underserved
communities.
The elimination of trachoma as a public health problem demonstrates
what is possible through sustained political commitment, strong
partnerships and continued investment in integrated eye health
services.
Read more on these success stories: El
Salvador, Algeria,
Australia.
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Summit Announces Three New
Co-Hosts
IAPB has announced Bangladesh, Guyana, and Nigeria as Summit
co-hosts. They join Antigua and Barbuda, adding powerful political
momentum, broadening regional representation, and recognising these
nations' international and domestic leadership on eye health.
Read
more.
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Make a Commitment to Eye
Health
Whether you are shaping
policy, delivering care, investing in innovation or advocating for
communities, there is a role for everyone in turning the value of
vision into action. You are invited to make a commitment and drive
progress that lasts beyond 2026.
Get involved.
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Unlocking Political Will
With advocacy efforts in more than 80
countries, governments and partners are working
together to turn ambition into concrete commitments and high-level
leadership.
Read
more.
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Childhood myopia is rising at an unprecedented pace. The proportion
of children and adolescents affected has increased from
24% of the global population in 1990 to nearly
36% in 2023, and is projected to reach
39% by 2050; equivalent to around 740 million
children and adolescents.
This growing burden is not evenly distributed. The highest
prevalence is seen among adolescents, secondary school students,
children living in urban areas, girls, and populations across East
Asia, underscoring the need for targeted, equitable and
context-specific action.
Addressing childhood myopia requires more than treatment alone. It
must be recognised as a national public health priority and integrated
into eye health policies and plans. At the same time, countries need
reliable, regularly updated data to better understand the scale of the
challenge, inform evidence-based policies, and direct resources to the
communities where the need is greatest.
Read
more.
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Eye health is increasingly
being recognised as a strategic policy issue that extends far beyond
healthcare. Through IAPB's Advocacy to Action: Europe
2026 series in Brussels, policymakers, Members of the
European Parliament and sector leaders explored how investing in eye
health can improve educational outcomes, strengthen workforce
productivity, support healthy ageing and build more resilient health
systems.
Read
more.
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WHA: Turning political momentum into tangible
action
At the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, IAPB advanced support
for the Global Summit for Eye Health through a high-level event
featuring ministers, WHO leaders and development partners. Alongside
advocacy and bilateral engagement, these efforts helped strengthen
commitments and elevate eye health within the global development
agenda.
Read more: Press
Release and Blog.
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UN Friends of Vision, High-Level Political Forum
The UN Friends of Vision group, with IAPB, highlighted how aligning
policy, financing and implementation, using road safety as an example,
can strengthen cross-sector collaboration and accelerate progress
towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
Watch
the discussion.
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Strengthening Regional Commitments
Advocates from nearly 30 countries came together in Bangkok,
Johannesburg, and Geneva to strengthen the policy levers behind strong
commitments to eye health ahead of the Global Summit for Eye
Health.
Read
more.
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#LoveYourEyes so
other can too |
At IAPB, we
bring together a powerful network of nearly 300
organisations across more
than 100 countries -
including NGO's, hospitals, research institutes, professional bodies,
and business. For almost a
century, IAPB has united this diverse community
to work collaboratively toward ending avoidable
sight loss.
If you aren’t already, why not join IAPB
and enjoy the benefits of membership — share your voice on global
platforms, stay updated on the latest sector developments, and receive
exclusive insights through the Membership
Newsletter.
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