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Eye Health and the Sustainable Development Goals

IAPB’s advocacy recognises eye health as both a health and development issue.

We actively promote the inclusion of eye health within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and support the development of partnerships with sectors beyond health, such as education, gender and economic development.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a universal call to action to build a healthier world for the entire population and the environment by 2030. The 17 SDGs and 169 targets are integrated which mean they recognise that action in one area will affect outcomes in the others.

Vision makes an important contribution to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and cuts across many of the Sustainable Development Goals; from poverty reduction to economic growth and employment, to education, gender and reducing inequalities.

It is therefore critical that countries adopt a whole-of-government approach to vision and include eye health in their development plans and policies.

2030 IN SIGHT - A Photo Exhibition
2030 IN SIGHT - A Photo Exhibition

A powerful interpretation of a central argument outlined in the UN Resolution on Vision and the WHO World Report on Vision that accessible, inclusive and affordable eye health is critical to achieving the SDGs.

UN Friends of Vision - Vision Screening
UN Friends of Vision

The Friends of Vision group of United Nations Member States consists of country representatives, including at Ambassador level, from more than 50 countries.

United Nations General Assembly Resolution on Vision
United Nations General Assembly Resolution on Vision

IAPB together with its members successfully championed the first United Nations General Assembly resolution on vision.

Photo Credits

Banner image: Peter Crosby