WHO / Pierre Albouy
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First meeting of the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group (STAG) on the SPECS 2030 initiative

12 – 13 February 2025
WHO headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland

Background

Uncorrected refractive error is the leading cause of vision impairment in child and adult populations. Globally, only 36% of people with a distance vision impairment due to refractive error have access to an appropriate pair of spectacles. Additionally, more than 800 million people have a near vision impairment (i.e. presbyopia) that could be addressed with a pair of reading spectacles.

Recognizing the large unmet need and the cost-effectiveness of spectacles, the first-ever global target for refractive error was endorsed at the Seventy-fourth World Health Assembly (2021). Specifically, the global target is a 40-percentage point increase in effective coverage of refractive error (eREC) by 2030.

In May 2024, WHO launched SPECS 2030, an initiative to support Member States to achieve the World Health Assembly's endorsed target. The SPECS 2030 initiative calls for coordinated action amongst all stakeholders (public, private, non-profit and philanthropy).

The STAG on the SPECS 2030 initiative

The STAG on the SPECS 2030 initiative, was established on June 2024 to act as an advisory body to WHO and provide high-level strategic support and guidance to further WHO’s effort in supporting Member States to achieve the World Health Assembly endorsed target on effective coverage of refractive error.

The first meeting of the STAG on the SPECS 2030 initiative will bring together the 16 appointed members, who serve in their personal capacities, and the WHO Secretariat, to review progress and make recommendations in the implementation of WHO SPECS 2030 priority activities in countries.  ​

Objectives of the meeting

Considering the above, the proposed objectives of the meeting are to:

  1. Receive high level strategic support and guidance on actions and options to achieve the World Health Assembly endorsed 2030 target on eREC.
  2. Gather recommendations on effective strategies to increase country level action on integration of refractive error services and spectacles provision within health systems and beyond.
  3. Discuss priorities and strategic entry points to guide the forthcoming normative work on refractive.

Date: 12–13 February 2025

Location: The meeting will be held in-person at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

Language: The meeting will be conducted in English.

Participation: By invitation only.