Aligning Global Health Leadership for the Global Summit for Eye Health

At the upcoming World Health Assembly (18-23 May 2026), global health leaders will gather for a high-level side event titled “The Value of Vision: The Roadmap to the Global Summit for Eye Health.”  May. Designed as a ministerial moment ahead of the global summit, the session will bring Ministers of Health, diplomats, and global partners together to prepare for the Global Summit for Eye Health in November 2026, hosted by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda alongside the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).  

The side event will serve as a key milestone on the road to the Summit creating a space in Geneva for ministers to begin shaping national commitments that could be elevated to Heads of State and Government at the Global Summit. With more than 1.1 billion people living with avoidable vision impairment, the moment presents an opportunity for countries to translate global policy commitments into tangible national action.  

Building on the momentum of World Health Assembly resolutions including WHA73.1 on Integrated People-Centred Eye Care, global targets on effective cataract surgical coverage (eCSC) and effective refractive error coverage (eREC), and the recent resolution on sensory impairments the session will encourage ministers to reflect on how eye health can feature within broader national health, development, and wellbeing priorities.  

Co-organised by the United Kingdom, Malaysia, CBM, FHF and IAPB, with support from Sightsavers, the event will include high-level remarks from global leaders, technical insights from WHO, and a ministerial discussion on shaping commitments for the Summit.  

By convening ministers and partners ahead of the 2026 Summit, the event aims to align global health leadership around a shared vision ensuring that eye health is positioned as a priority when Heads of State come together to announce ambitious commitments at the global summit.  

PS: Please keep an eye out for further details about the event. The date is still to be confirmed.