The Chen Yet-Sen Family Foundation at 2030 In Sight Live
2030 IN SIGHT LIVE, hosted by the International Association for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), took place in Nairobi in June 2026. The annual global gathering brings together leaders, advocates and innovators to accelerate action towards universal access to quality eye health by 2030.
This year’s event marked a significant moment for the global eye health community, positioning Africa as a centre of innovation, partnership and action. The programme focused on practical progress, evidence, collaboration and scalable solutions capable of supporting population-level impact ahead of the first Global Summit for Eye Health, to be held on 2 November 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda.
During the event, our Chief Executive, Jennifer Chen, was captured in conversation sharing the vision journey of The Chen Yet-Sen Family Foundation, led by its Chair, James Chen. Over nearly two decades, the Foundation’s support for the vision sector has helped catalyse lasting systems change through strategic, long-term philanthropy.
Jennifer highlighted the Foundation’s groundbreaking work implementing primary eye care at scale in partnership with the Government of Rwanda through Vision for a Nation in 2011. Rwanda’s successful public-private partnership became a proof of concept that helped ignite the disruptive Clearly campaign in 2016 and contributed to the “Vision for Everyone” commitment at the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
That same year, the PROSPER randomised controlled trial provided statistical evidence of a 22% increase in productivity through the simple intervention of a pair of spectacles. These data points helped fast-track global conversations, contributing to the formation of the Friends of Vision group at the United Nations.
Within three years, the collaborative work of this multi-stakeholder group resulted in the 2021 United Nations resolution, “Vision for Everyone: accelerating action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”. The resolution committed all 193 UN Member States to ensuring full access to eye care services for their populations by 2030.
In September 2025, the Value of Vision report further strengthened the case for investment, showing that every $1 invested in eye health generates a $28 return in low- and middle-income countries. Presented at the United Nations, the report has helped build support across governments, corporates, philanthropic funders and community organisations.
The next major milestone is the first Global Summit on Vision in 2026, with The Chen Yet-Sen Family Foundation as the anchor Changemaker funding partner. Held alongside CHOGM in Antigua and Barbuda, the Summit represents a full-circle moment. Eight years after bringing vision to the Commonwealth agenda, the Foundation returns with renewed momentum, stronger evidence and a clear call to integrate eye health into existing systems and prioritise it nationally and globally.
