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October 2018
The UN Friends of Vision, is founded by Ambassador Webson, Antigua and Barbuda. 10 countries as well as James Chen and IAPB attend the first meeting. The Friends of Vision is supported by an active secretariat chaired by IAPB and includes The Fred Hollows Foundation; Sightsavers; OneSight; Vision Spring; Vision Council of America and CBM.
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July 2019
Friends of Vision hold their first side event at the UN High-Level Political Forum on Eye Health and the SDGs.
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September 2019
Eye Health is included for the first time in a UN Political Declaration. Heads of State commit to strengthen efforts to address eye health conditions as part of Universal Health Coverage.
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November 2019
Friends of Vision hold a Vision Screening and Exhibition in the UN lobby. More than 500 Ambassadors and UN staff get their eyes tested.
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May 2020
Bangladesh and Ireland join the leadership of the Friends of Vision.
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May to December 2020
Friends of Vision continues to hold high-level virtual events with key UN representatives and grows to more than 50 members.
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February 2021
The Lancet Global Health Commission on Eye Health is launched at the United Nations with over 600 Ambassadors and mission representatives, UN officials, academics, civil society, private sector organizations and media in attendance.
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February 2021
The President of the UN General Assembly publicly endorses the UN resolution on vision.
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February 2021
Member State negotiations begin on the UN resolution on vision. The resolution is led by Bangladesh with Antigua and Barbuda and Ireland’s support.
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June 2021
The UN resolution on vision is agreed by silence procedure by Member States.
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July 2021
More than 115 countries co-sponsor the resolution.
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23 July 2021
Vision for Everyone: Accelerating Action on the SDGs is adopted by the UN General Assembly
