Prime Minister Gaston Browne has taken part in the launch of the first Global Summit for Eye Health, which will be held in Antigua and Barbuda later this year.

The summit will take place during the country’s hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in November.

The dual launch event on Wednesday brought together international health leaders and Commonwealth representatives to highlight the importance of tackling preventable blindness and improving global eye care.

Among those attending were Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, a long-time advocate for eye health, and Peter Holland, chief executive of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB).

Also participating were Antigua and Barbuda’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Karen-Mae Hill; IAPB President Caroline Casey; Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Arjoon Suddhoo; and Devora Kestel of the World Health Organization.

The summit is expected to bring together global policymakers, health experts and advocacy groups to address the growing burden of vision impairment and blindness worldwide.

Organisers say the meeting will focus on strengthening eye-care systems, expanding access to treatment and encouraging governments to prioritise eye health as part of broader public health strategies.