Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud said Bangladesh will continue to play a leadership role in the global fight against visual impairment and blindness.
He made this promise during the official sideline event ‘Universal eye care’ of the ‘4th Small Island Developing States Conference-SIDS4′ organized by the United Nations in St. John’s, the capital of the Caribbean island nation of Antigua and Barbuda.
The host country Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture and Trade Chet Greene (Chet Greene) and Permanent Representative of Ireland to the United Nations Fergal discussed the discussion organized by the United Nations’ Group of Friends on Vision in the auditorium of the American University of Antigua on Monday afternoon local timeMithen (Fergal Mythen), Permanent Representative of Portugal Paula Zacarias, World Health Organization Director Werner Obermeyer gave speeches.
Dr. Hasan highlighted Bangladesh’s leadership along with Antigua and Barbuda and Ireland in adopting the historic UN General Assembly resolution on “Vision for Everyone” in 2021 to improve eye care for all globally.
He said, as co-chair of the United Nations Group of Friends on Vision, Bangladesh supports the appointment of the United Nations Special Envoy on Vision and the organization of the World Eye Health Conference or Global Eye Health Summit in 2026.
Highlighting the success and wonderful progress of Bangladesh in economic-social and various fields under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Hasan said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has established 200 community eye centers in the country and plans to establish another 250 eye centers by 2029Not only this, Prime Minister’s flagship initiative to provide primary eye care and medical services through 14,500 community clinics across the country is part of our long-term plan, said the minister.
During this time, he emphasized on ensuring access to government infrastructure for the visually impaired globally, development of educational materials and digital literacy training.
The Foreign Ministers of Antigua and Barbuda and the Permanent Representatives of Ireland and Portugal to the United Nations highlighted the need to address disparities in eye care and treatment, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.