Singapore meeting sets tone for the future

Over 300 delegates gathered in Singapore over the course of the last two days for 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE. The event, hosted in partnership with the Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI), celebrated a programme that featured 100 experts, thought leaders and passionate change-makers from eye health, development, finance and many more sectors to address one of the world’s most pressing development issues – eye care for all.

“It is gatherings like 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE that help us collectively become future facing, predict trends and embrace technology and new partnerships. They focus our efforts and help us refine our case that eye health is not an optional extra. It is vital to everything. The Singapore National Eye Centre and Singapore Eye Research Institute are shining examples to the world of the future of global eye health, and we are grateful to them for hosting IAPB’s global event,” said Peter Holland, IAPB Chief Executive.

2030 IN SIGHT LIVE continues to be the largest gathering to advance accessible, available and affordable eye care to all by 2030. This year’s programme highlighted topics from inclusion of eye health in future Sustainable Development Goals to campaigning for change and financing mechanisms. It also, for the first time, celebrated more than fifty percent female representation of speakers.

Caroline Casey, IAPB President, said, “The momentum is here. IAPB won Association of the Year and Campaign of the Year by Associations of Association Executives. Our work matters and it is being recognised.”

Attending the event was also H.E. Ambassador Webson, Permanent Representative from Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations and IAPB Global Ambassador who commented, “We can integrate eye health into universal eye care and make it an issue of national development. We need to invest and use technology as a driver. The biggest risk we face is if we miss this opportunity.”

2030 IN SIGHT LIVE is the platform to mobilise and inspire action on the 2030 In Sight Strategy, a 10-year strategy launched in 2021, that builds on so much great work already done to progress eye care for all.

Closing the event, Valeria Sanchez Huerta, Head of Academic Programme for Asociacion para Evitar la Ceguera en México (APEC) announced next year’s IAPB global event in Mexico, where IAPB look forward to welcoming the world to Latin America.