Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda has taken a bold step in advocating for universal eye health, addressing a United Nations side-event titled “The Value of Vision: The Case for Investment.” The event, held on Wednesday, emphasized the urgent need for global investment to combat avoidable vision loss and its far-reaching social and economic impacts. Reflecting on the 2021 UN Resolution “Vision for Everyone,” co-sponsored by Bangladesh, Ireland, and Antigua and Barbuda, Browne highlighted the slow progress in addressing vision impairment, which continues to hinder millions from leading dignified lives. He stressed that investing in eye health is not merely an act of charity but a strategic economic move that enhances productivity, prosperity, and resilience, particularly for small nations like Antigua and Barbuda. Citing a recent study by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), Seva Foundation, and the Fred Hollows Foundation, Browne outlined the potential global benefits of scaling vision care, including $447 billion in annual economic returns, 22 million new jobs, and 13 million additional school years for children. To translate this momentum into tangible outcomes, Browne announced that Antigua and Barbuda will host the inaugural Global Summit on Eye Health in 2026. This summit aims to bring together leaders, private sector stakeholders, and civil society to commit to actionable, time-bound initiatives that restore sight, potential, and hope. Browne called on governments, investors, and development partners to align their policies and portfolios with universal eye-health goals, emphasizing the need for innovation, data-driven strategies, and large-scale delivery. He concluded with a stark choice: either allow vision loss to continue robbing the world of talent and productivity or act decisively to reap the immense benefits that are within reach. The time for action, he asserted, is now.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne Champions Universal Eye Health; Announces 2026 Global Summit on Eye Health
