Deadline for public comments: 10 February 2025, 16:00 CET
Proposed membership of the WHO Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on the SPECS 2030 initiative
Following a public call for experts and rigorous selection process, the World Health Organization (WHO) announces the membership of the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on the SPECS 2030 initiative (STAG on SPECS 2030). As per WHO processes for transparency in provision of technical/normative advice to WHO, this public notice is followed by a minimum 2-week comment period. The STAG on SPECS 2030 will meet for the first time in February 2025 to provide strategic and technical advice to WHO on matters relating to WHO’s work on the SPECS 2030 initiative.
The 16 members of the STAG on SPECS 2030, selected for a 2-year term, will serve in their personal capacities to represent the broad range of disciplines relevant to refractive error. In the identification of the individuals, consideration was given to attaining an adequate distribution of strategic and technical expertise, geographical representation and sex balance.
Functions of the STAG on SPECS 2030
In its capacity as an advisory body to WHO, the STAG on SPECS 2030 has the following functions:
- Provide high-level strategic support and guidance to WHO on options and actions to support the achievement of the World Health Assembly endorsed 2030 target on effective refractive error coverage.
- Make recommendations to inform the forthcoming normative work on refractive error services.
- Advise on effective strategies to increase country action on integration of refractive error services and spectacle provision within health systems and beyond, including the evidence-based policy and legislative changes required to increase spectacle coverage.
- Recommend priorities within the Organization, identifying strategic entry points to integrate refractive error services into WHO normative work, data and research and innovation activities.
Public notice and comment
In order to enhance WHO’s management of conflicts of interest as well as strengthen public trust and transparency in connection with WHO meetings involving the provision of technical/normative advice, the names and brief biographies of the 16 individuals and brief biographies of the 16 individuals (“published information”) selected for membership of the STAG on SPECS 2030 are hereby disclosed for public notice and comment.
The published information is provided by the experts themselves and is the sole responsibility of the individuals concerned. WHO is not responsible for the accuracy, veracity and completeness of the published information provided. Furthermore, in no event will WHO be responsible or liable for damages in relation to the use of, and reliance upon, the published information.
The comments received by WHO through the public notice and comment process are treated confidentially and their receipt will be acknowledged through a generic email notification to the sender. Comments and perceptions brought to the knowledge of WHO through this process are an integral component of WHO’s conflict of interest assessment policy and are carefully reviewed. WHO reserves the right to discuss information received through this process with the relevant expert with no attribution to the provider of such information. Upon review and assessment of the information received through this process, WHO, in its sole discretion, may take appropriate management action in accordance with its policies.
The participation of an expert in a WHO meeting does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by WHO, nor does it create a binding relationship between the expert and WHO.
The list of participating experts, a summary of relevant interests disclosed by such experts, and any appropriate mitigation measures taken by WHO relating to the management of conflicts of interests, will be reported publicly in accordance with WHO practice.
Submitting public comments
The deadline for public comments is Monday, 10 February 2024, 16:00 (CET). Please send your comment to vision@who.int with the subject, “Public comments on the STAG on SPECS 2030”, indicating the name, nature and contact details of the sender. Comments should be provided by email, and the receipt of these will be acknowledged through generic email notification to the sender.
For more information, visit the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on the SPECS 2030 initiative webpage.