Governments and Policymakers 

Leading the global response

The Global Summit for Eye Health represents a pivotal moment for national leadership. Hosted by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda in technical collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and supported by IAPB, the Summit is the primary platform for leaders to transform eye health.

With over one billion people living with avoidable sight loss, eye health is no longer just a clinical issue—it is a development priority. By integrating eye health into national health systems, governments and international institutions can unlock significant economic potential, improving school attendance, workforce productivity, and community well-being.

Governments are being asked to:

Make a Landmark Commitment

The Summit invites governments and international institutions to announce ambitious commitments to eye health.

An important part of the Global Summit for Eye Health will be commitments from governments, civil society, professional associations, academia, and the private sector. A government commitment is a formal public pledge made by an official or government body to take specific actions, allocate resources, and achieve measurable targets in pursuit of ending avoidable sight loss. It is a clear expression of political will and a benchmark for accountability.

We are seeking commitments of any kind that focus on improving eye health, but commitments are particularly welcome that focus on Six Accelerators:

1. Expand Screenings in the Community

• Integrating simple, effective sight testing into broader community and school health programmes.

2. Give Out Reading Glasses on the Spot

• Empower community screeners to hand out ready-made reading glasses right after screening.

3. Increase Capacity in the Workforce

• Supporting the training and mentorship of mid-level eye care professionals and embracing tele-refraction.

4. Boost Surgical Productivity and Teams

• Improve workflow and equipment to boost surgical output by 40-50%.

5. Remove Barriers to Access

• Address cost, distance, and stigma through targeted local campaigns.

6. Make Cataract Surgery Even Better

• Implementing workflow innovations and kit improvements to safely increase surgical output.

These actions will be formally recognised in the Summit’s official outcome document and tracked via this commitment portal.