Antigua and Barbuda Secures Place in Global Eye Health Drive as Summit Delivers US$1.23 Billion in Pledges

A global push to make eye care more accessible has gathered significant financial and political backing, with 57 governments committing more than US$1.23 billion in domestic resources as the Global Summit for Eye Health concluded in Antigua and Barbuda.

The commitments were among the major outcomes announced by Health Minister Michael Joseph during the closing session at the Sir John E. St. Luce Conference Centre, where he called on governments and international partners to turn their promises into measurable improvements in eye care.

The pledges signal a growing effort to make eye health a national priority, with governments expected to take greater responsibility for financing services rather than depending heavily on external assistance.

Children's vision emerged as one of the central priorities, with 29 governments committing to expand school-based eye screenings, improve early detection and increase access to affordable glasses.

The initiative has attracted support from eight private-sector partners and 53 civil society organisations. UNICEF has also pledged to support 25 countries and screen 90 million children.

Beyond childhood vision, 42 governments committed to widening access to glasses through measures that include the World Health Organization's SPECS initiative, stronger regulation and the removal of tariffs and taxes that contribute to the cost of eyewear.

The commitments extended beyond individual countries, with CARICOM and 18 Pacific Island countries making regional pledges. Joseph highlighted the importance of coordinated action for small island developing states, where limited resources and geographically dispersed populations can create additional challenges in delivering accessible health services.

The Summit also marked a significant development in the global fight against preventable blindness with the launch of SEE 2045 by the World Health Organization. The initiative establishes a global elimination target for cataracts, making the condition only the second noncommunicable disease in the organisation's history to receive such a target.

Antigua and Barbuda was among the first countries recognised as participating in the global effort, alongside Bangladesh, China, Kenya and Nigeria.

Perhaps the most significant collective outcome of the gathering was the adoption of the St. John's Global Compact for Eye Health, which brings together the commitments made by governments and partners within a common framework for investment, action and accountability.

Joseph announced that 187 stakeholders had endorsed the Compact by the conclusion of the Summit. However, the opportunity to endorse the agreement will remain open to additional governments and organisations beyond the gathering.

The Minister also credited the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, which served as the Summit's Secretariat, for helping to coordinate the international effort and bring the various stakeholders together.

But as the gathering came to a close, Joseph made clear that the success of the Summit would ultimately depend on what happens after delegates leave Antigua and Barbuda.

“The commitments have been made and the Compact adopted. Now, let us all, together, go and deliver on the promises we have made in St. John’s,” he said.

The Global Summit for Eye Health was hosted by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda in technical collaboration with the World Health Organization. Bangladesh, Guyana, Ireland and Nigeria also served as co-hosts, alongside the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness.

The gathering brought together government leaders, international organisations, development partners, civil society and private-sector representatives, with discussions centred on strengthening health systems, expanding access to quality eye care and integrating eye health into universal health coverage.