Reflecting on 2024

Hello everyone!

A Happy New Year from us at IAPB Western Pacific. As we enter 2025, in our first newsletter of the year we reflect back on our achievements in 2024, World Sight Day, workshops and much more.

Guided by a strong commitment to the 2030 In Sight Strategy, in 2024 we witnessed significant progress in eye health in the Western Pacific Region, with many members and countries taking meaningful steps toward impactful accomplishments. These achievements reaffirm our commitment and collaborative efforts in advancing global eye health goals.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) reached a significant milestone with the launch of a new National Eye Health Plan (2024–2029), which reinforced the country’s commitment to integrated, people-centred eye care for all. From a thematic perspective:

On the sidelines of the APAO Conference in Bali, in February, we launched a joint DR Policy Brief with The International Diabetes Federation. Read our full review

Submit abstracts for 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE

We’re thrilled to invite you to submit abstracts for 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE, Kathmandu, Nepal! Submissions are open until Sunday, 9 February 2025.

Submit an abstract

World Sight Day 2024

World Sight Day was a vibrant celebration of collective commitment across the eye health sector. Do read our 2024 campaign report.

Parliamentary Event

On the eve of World Sight Day, over 100 attendees gathered at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia’ capital, for Vision 2020 Australia’s annual Parliamentary Friends Group for Eye Health and Vision Care event.

Celebrations in Samoa

Samoa celebrated World Sight Day with a vibrant gathering at a primary school, where the community came together to shine a spotlight on the importance of eye health for children.

Read who all attended

Child Eye Health in New Zealand

Eye Health Aotearoa ran New Zealand’s first Children’s Eye Health Campaign between the 2^nd of September and the 10^thof October. It was a fun campaign involving all intermediate schools in Aotearoa and over 25 supporting organisations.

News from the region

Deputy Minister of Health, Associate Professor
Nguyen Thi Lien Huong (2nd from left) receives a certificate and a
plaque honouring Vietnam’s elimination of trachoma. (photo from WHO)

Vietnam eliminates trachoma

Vietnam has been validated by the WHO for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem.

Partnering in Laos

Good People International is joining efforts with IAPB to strengthen eye health systems in Laos. The project will include a comprehensive analysis of the current eye care landscape in Laos.

Workshop in China

Beijing hosted an important workshop to focus on evidence-based planning for the future of eye health in the country. Organized in preparation for China’s 15^th Five-Year National Eye Health Plan

Read about the workshop

Sight for All Workshop

IAPB held a workshop on systems leadership in eye health, hosted by Sight For All that provided a unique space for exchanging ideas, fostering collaboration, and empowering advocates committed to making a lasting impact in eye health.