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Eye care organisations urge sector to sign global compact to end avoidable vision loss
Fourteen leading eye health and development organisations call for the entire sector to unite, ahead of the landmark Global Summit.
- Private sector, civil society and international organisations all encouraged to endorse the St John’s Global Compact for Eye Health before 1 November.
- Eye health and development leaders issue call for collective action in a joint statement published today.
London, 15 October 2026: Fourteen leading eye health and development organisations today called on partners across the eye care sector to unite behind the St John’s Global Compact for Eye Health, a landmark agreement designed to accelerate global action to end avoidable vision loss.
The Compact brings together governments, civil society organisations, private sector partners and international institutions behind a shared vision: ensuring that everyone, everywhere can access quality eye care services.
By endorsing the Compact, organisations signal their commitment to a coordinated global effort to tackle avoidable sight loss and strengthen eye health systems. While voluntary and non-binding, endorsing the Compact demonstrates alignment with a growing international movement committed to advancing eye health as a global development priority.
The Compact will serve as a unifying framework at the inaugural Global Summit for Eye Health, taking place in Antigua and Barbuda in November 2026. The Summit is bringing together governments, development partners, health leaders and advocates from around the world to drive coordinated action and accelerate progress towards universal access to eye care.
Over 100 countries and organisations have endorsed the Compact already, highlighting the growing global coalition committed to ending avoidable vision loss. All other eye care and development organisations are encouraged to add their support before the 1 November 2026 deadline to help build momentum for collective action across the sector.
The fourteen eye health and development leaders issued their call for collective action in a joint statement published today. Most signatories to this joint statement are also High Impact Partners supporting the first-ever Global Summit for Eye Health.
Jessica Thompson, Deputy CEO, IAPB, said: “We already have the evidence, innovation and partnerships needed to end avoidable sight loss. What we need now is greater collective commitment and coordinated action.
“The St John’s Global Compact for Eye Health provides a unique opportunity for organisations across the sector to demonstrate their support for a shared global agenda to end avoidable sight loss. Every endorsement strengthens our collective voice and brings us one step closer to a future where everyone, everywhere can access the eye care they need.”
For more information and to endorse the St John’s Global Compact for Eye Health, click here.
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