Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology is one of the largest gathering of ophthalmologists (and associated members of the eye health sector) every year. In Bali, for 2024, the congress provided the perfect opportunity to bring together IAPB members and stakeholders from several WHO regions including the Western Pacific, Southeast Asia, Eastern Mediterranean and North America. Beachside at Nusa Dua, this year’s event combined networking with the soft-launch of the Joint IAPB/IDF Policy Brief on Diabetic Retinopathy.

The brief will be formally released in an online event at the end of March, however, Indonesia is a fitting location for a sneak peak – the country is now within the top 10 countries for prevalence, globally. This was acknowledged by Dr Eva Susanto, representing Indonesia’s Ministry of Health and who assured attendees of the work being done by the govt to address the increasing burden. Co-author, Professor Serge Resnikoff, urged IAPB members to see the brief as an essential advocacy tool and opportunity to speak to governments with one voice.

This is the power of IAPB: a diverse group of members and stakeholders, who can uniquely speak with one voice. #strongertogether. Special thanks to I-care international for supporting the event and allowing us to come together, to learn and network, to make new friends and renew old acquaintances.