Australian Government and Vision 2020 Australia aim to eliminate blindness in region within 10 years 
The partnership is part of the Rudd Government's focus on improving living standards, health care and access to education in the Asia Pacific - and is a key element of AusAID's new Development for All disability strategy.
The Hon Bob McMullan MP, Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, launched the partnership in Canberra today with a message that 80% of global blindness is avoidable, treatable or preventable.
As a result of this partnership, as many as 100 million people in South East Asia and the Pacific will have their vision restored or improved.
The 2008 federal budget contained a $45 million commitment to improving eye health in the Asia Pacific.
Since then, there has been much progress in establishing a Consortium partnership and developing an agreement to commence the first stages of this groundbreaking initiative.
"The Consortium represents another important development partnership between the Government and non-Government sectors," Mr McMullan said.
"The Australian Government looks forward to working with the Vision 2020 Global Consortium to improve the lives of some of the most disadvantaged people in our region."
Jennifer Gersbeck, CEO, Vision 2020 Australia said that Australia can eliminate avoidable blindness in the Asia Pacific within 10 years.
"This would be a remarkable legacy to leave our closest neighbours. Blindness is both a cause and consequence of poverty, and improving eye care and reducing preventable blindness is a simple and cost effective way to reduce poverty."
"We are very excited and proud to be working in partnership with the Australian Government to deliver these projects."
"The Consortium members are all specialist organisations with a track record of achieving outstanding results both in Australia and overseas. Working together, we can achieve our goal to eliminate avoidable blindness in the Asia Pacific - and this is the first step," said Ms Gersbeck.
