The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) has organized a letter to the United Nations (UN) signed by the leaders of over 150 global eye health organizations supporting the creation of a Special Envoy on Vision, a senior UN official appointed to address global eye health.
What to know about the Special Envoy:
- They will serve as a global advocate and spokesperson – rallying governments to action
- Promote valuable, strategic partnerships to achieve more, faster
- Raise global awareness of the importance of eye health
- They will accelerate the international community’s implementation of the UN resolution on vision
The Envoy would build on the significant momentum developed around eye health over the past three years and enable a global advocate to lead the implementation of the 2021 UN General Assembly resolution on ‘Vision for Everyone.’ This is in coordination with relevant UN agencies, including the World Health Organization, and mobilizing action at the national level.
63 UN member states have also written to Secretary-General António Guterres calling on him to create this Envoy, saying, “This is an opportunity to ensure all people around the world have equitable access to eye health and to tackle a development issue which can be solved this decade.”
On behalf of Eversight, Vice President of Global Development Collin Ross supports IAPB advocacy efforts and signed this initiative. He encourages others in the eye care sector to show their support.
“Globally, at least 2.2 billion people are living with vision impairment or blindness, including 12 million who suffer from corneal blindness,” Ross said. “Ensuring everyone has accessible and affordable eye health services will be vital to help reduce this number, changing lives and transforming communities around the world.”
Read the letter sent by over 150 organizations, which includes the names, affiliations and logos of all the signatories, advocating for global commitment, strong government and community support, and the right leadership to ensure eye health services for all.
Show your support by downloading the Friends of Vision social media toolkit, which includes social media guidance and graphics to help amplify this important call to action.
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