Financing Vision, Financing Growth: Advancing Eye Health at the World Bank Spring Meetings 

On 17 April 2026, during the World Bank Group Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C., the World Bank Group, IAPB, Vision Catalyst Fund and partners will convene a high-level breakfast side event, Financing Vision, Financing Growth: Launch of the World Bank Initiative for Eye Health. The event will bring together Ministers of Finance and Health, senior World Bank leadership, development finance institutions, and global partners to position eye health as a strategic investment in human capital, productivity, and inclusive economic growth. 

The Spring Meetings gather the world’s key economic decision-makers at a moment when global development priorities and financing frameworks are being shaped. This event will highlight new economic evidence demonstrating the strong returns on investing in eye health and explore innovative approaches to mobilising additional resources for country-led eye care programmes aligned with national development priorities. 

Participants will also hear about a new World Bank–supported initiative designed to help countries scale eye care through catalytic financing and technical support. By connecting philanthropic capital, development finance, and government investment, the initiative aims to unlock sustainable funding pathways for eye health within national development and health financing strategies. 

The event marks an important milestone on the road to the Global Summit For Eye Health, which will take place in Antigua and Barbuda in 2026. The Summit will bring together Heads of State and Government, development finance leaders, and global partners to accelerate action and secure a new wave of political and financial commitments for eye health. 

By bringing finance leaders into the conversation, the Spring Meetings side event will help strengthen the economic case for investment in eye health and build momentum toward the commitments needed to ensure eye care is integrated into national development strategies and financing frameworks ahead of the Global Summit. 

How members can support: 

Members are warmly encouraged, where appropriate, to help raise awareness of the event among relevant government counterparts, development finance institutions, philanthropic partners, and other interested stakeholders. Supporting wider visibility of the discussion can help strengthen understanding of eye health as a development and financing priority and contribute to broader momentum in the lead-up to the Global Summit For Eye Health.