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 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 in 2024 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.
The Strategic and Technical Advisory Group (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
- Inform STAG members on WHO’s progress with the SPECS 2030 initiative.
- Receive high level strategic support and guidance on actions and options to achieve the World Health Assembly endorsed 2030 target on eREC.
- Gather recommendations on effective strategies to increase country level action on integration of refractive error services and spectacles provision within health systems and beyond.
Format: In-person.
Date and venue: 1 September 2026, WHO headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland.
Language: The meeting will be conducted in English.
Participation: By invitation only.