The Strategic and Technical Advisory Group (STAG) on the SPECS 2030 initiative will act as an advisory board to WHO to further WHO’s effort in supporting Member States to achieve the World Health Assembly endorsed target on effective coverage of refractive error. Through the actions of the SPECS 2030 initiative, WHO, together with all relevant stakeholders, will strive for a world in which everyone who needs spectacles has access to timely, affordable, quality and people-centred refractive error services.
In its capacity as an advisory body to WHO, the STAG on SPECS 2030 has the following functions:
Following a call for interests, WHO has appointed the 16 members of the STAG on SPECS 2030.
Members serve in their personal capacities to represent the broad range of disciplines relevant to refractive error including but not limited to expertise on the prevention and demand generation for health services, multisectoral engagement, health economics and surveillance of refractive errors. In the selection of the STAG members, consideration was given to attaining an adequate distribution of strategic and technical expertise, geographical representation and gender balance.
Members of the STAG on SPECS 2030 have been appointed to serve for a period of 2 years (2024–2026) and shall be eligible for reappointment. Their appointment may be terminated at any time by WHO if WHO's interest so requires or, as otherwise specified in these terms of reference or letters of appointment. Where a member’s appointment is terminated, WHO may decide to appoint a replacement member.
STAG on SPECS 2030 members must respect the impartiality and independence required of WHO. In performing their work, members may not seek or accept instructions from any government or from any authority external to the Organization. They must be free of any real, potential or apparent conflicts of interest.
To this end, the members have completed a declaration of interests form and their appointment has been subject to the evaluation of completed forms by the WHO Secretariat, determining that their participation will not give rise to a real, potential or apparent conflict of interest.
Notwithstanding the requirement to complete the WHO declaration of interest form, STAG on SPECS 2030 members have an ongoing obligation to inform the WHO of any interests real or perceived that may give raise to a real, potential or apparent conflict of interest. WHO may, from time to time, request STAG on SPECS 2030 members to complete a new declaration of interest form. This may be before a STAG on SPECS 2030 meeting or any other STAG on SPECS 2030-related activity or engagement, as decided by WHO. Where WHO has made such a request, the STAG on SPECS 2030 member’s participation in the STAG on SPECS 2030 activity or engagement is subject to a determination that their participation would not give rise to a real, potential or apparent conflict of interest.
In order to enhance WHO’s management of conflicts of interest, as well as strengthen public trust and transparency in connection with WHO advisory groups involving the provision of strategic and technical advice, the names and brief biographies of the members appointed to the STAG on SPECS 2030 are disclosed for public notice and comment.
The comments received by WHO through the public notice and comment process are treated confidentially and their receipt will be acknowledged through a generic email notification to the sender. Comments and perceptions brought to the attention of WHO through this process are carefully reviewed. WHO reserves the right to discuss information received through this process with the relevant expert with no attribution to the provider of such information. Upon review and assessment of the information received through this process, WHO, in its sole discretion, may take appropriate management action in accordance with its policies.
If you have any comments, please send them to [email protected] with the subject: “Public comments on STAG on SPECS 2030 members”.
Singapur
Paraguay
United States of America
Nigeria
Kenia
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
United States of America
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Australien
Pakistan
Indien
China
Islamic Republic of Iran
China
Thailand
Frankreich