SPECS 2030 initiative meeting, including the second in-person meeting of the Global SPECS Network

Background

Globally, at least 2.2 billion people have a near or distance vision impairment. In at least 1 billion of these cases, vision impairment could have been prevented or is yet to be addressed. And of those with unaddressed vision impairment or blindness, 90% live in low- and middle-income countries. To confound this, the number of people with non-communicable eye conditions is expected to surge in the coming years due to demographic, behavioural and lifestyle trends.

Uncorrected refractive error is the leading cause of vision impairment in child and adult populations. Globally, it is estimated that 2 out of 3 people in low-income countries who need eyeglasses don’t have access to them, while more than 800 million people have a near vision impairment due to presbyopia. Reduced vision from refractive errors can be fully addressed with the use of spectacles or contact lenses or corrected by laser surgery on reaching adulthood. In recognition of the large unmet need for care, coupled with the fact a highly cost–effective intervention exists (i.e. spectacles), WHO Member States endorsed the first-ever global target for refractive error at the Seventy-fourth World Health Assembly (2021). Specifically, the global target is a 40-percentage point increase in effective coverage of refractive error by 2030. To support Member States with the achievement of the endorsed target, WHO launched the SPECS 2030 initiative. The initiative calls for coordinated action amongst all stakeholders (public, private, non-profit and philanthropy), focusing on four key strategies of engagement: normative work; the Global SPECS Network; private sector dialogues; and engagement of regions and countries.

Objectives of the meetings

1. Inform participants on WHO’s progress with the SPECS 2030 initiative, including new data and technical resources to support implementation of the initiative, and key country updates.
2. Present, and receive feedback, on the new workplan of the Global SPECS Network.
3. Identify strategic opportunities to be harnessed in accelerating the SPECS 2030 initiative.
4. Discuss and prioritize next steps.

Format: Hybrid, with in-person and virtual attendance.

Dates: 2 – 3 September 2026.

Venue: Auditorium Z3+Z4, WHO headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland and virtual.

Language: The meeting will be conducted in English.

Participation: By invitation only.