SINGAPORE—The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) welcomed over 300 delegates to Singapore for 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE. The event, hosted in partnership with the Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI), gathered experts and thought leaders from eye health and development sectors and beyond to address one of the world’s most pressing development issues—eyecare for all. Opening the event, H.E. ambassador Webson, permanent representative from Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations and IAPB global ambassador said, “We have an opportunity to raise awareness and advocate and campaign on many fronts and domains to make sure eye health is universally understood and make it a core part of development.”

Dr. Tedros, WHO director-general, addressed those gathered by video, saying, “The loss of eyesight is a tragedy. But when it happens despite being preventable, that is an outrage...WHO, the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, and our partners are working together with countries around the world to address the massive unmet need for eyecare.”

Caroline Casey, IAPB president added, “We are in this moment of radical collaboration...for what we all want is a world where everyone belongs, is seen and heard. To end avoidable sight loss—it is up to us together to take action.

 
 
2030 IN SIGHT LIVE is the largest gathering to advance accessible, available and affordable eyecare to all by 2030. The program celebrated more than 50 percent female representation of speakers and showcased pressing topics from inclusion of eye health in future Sustainable Development Goals to campaigning for change and financing mechanisms. The event 's workshops explored strategies to elevate the issue of eye health, integrate eyecare into wider health systems and devise solutions to activate demand from the ground up.

The event is the platform to mobilize and inspire action on 2030 In Sight, a 10-year strategy launched in 2021, that builds on the great work already done to progress eyecare for all in the last decade.

Professor Aung Tin, CEO of Singapore National Eye Centre, noted, “It is wonderful to have so many delegates and speakers here in Singapore for 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE. This event represents an extraordinary opportunity for collaboration as we gather as a global community to workshop some of the greatest challenges to universal access to eyecare. I encourage everyone to transcend borders, cultures and disciplines for our common purpose.”

IAPB is the overarching alliance for the global eyecare sector with almost 200 members worldwide drawn from NGOs and civil society, corporate organizations, professional bodies, and research and eyecare institutions.