The Global Alliance of Eye Bank Associations (GAEBA) has released a pre-recorded webinar examining the World Health Organization’s provisional Global Strategy on Donation and Transplantation and what the proposed framework could mean for the global donation and transplantation community.
Navigating the Provisional WHO Global Strategy on Organ Donation & Transplantation brings together two leaders in global donation, transplantation and eye banking: Efstratios (Stratos) Chatzixiros, World Health Organization Advisor for the Organs, Tissues and Cells Transplantation Programme, and Associate Professor Graeme Pollock, architect of GAEBA and a leader in the development of The Barcelona Principles: An Agreement on the Use of Human Donated Tissue for Ocular Transplantation, Research, and Future Technologies.
The webinar is available to watch on demand and comes at an important time: the WHO’s provisional strategy is currently open for public consultation, with comments accepted through August 31, 2026.
Exploring the Future of Global Donation and Transplantation
During the webinar, Chatzixiros and Pollock explore the proposed vision, objectives and strategic direction of the WHO strategy, including how it seeks to improve access to donation and transplantation services worldwide.
The discussion addresses several key areas, including:
- Improving global access and reducing disparities in donation and transplantation
- The vision, objectives and strategic direction of the provisional WHO strategy
- Ethical considerations embedded within the proposed framework
- The importance of vigilance, surveillance and transparency
- Opportunities for healthcare professionals and other stakeholders to provide feedback during the WHO public consultation
The provisional strategy is expected to progress toward final consideration at the 80th World Health Assembly in 2027.
An Opportunity to Contribute to the Global Conversation
GAEBA’s webinar highlights an important opportunity for members of the eye banking, donation and transplantation communities to help shape the strategy while it remains under consultation. Healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, advocates and other stakeholders are encouraged to review the provisional strategy and consider submitting comments to the WHO before the August 31, 2026 deadline.
The webinar may be particularly valuable for:
- Eye, tissue and organ donation and transplantation professionals
- Surgeons and other healthcare professionals
- Hospital administrators
- Cell therapy clinicians and scientists
- Public health officials and policymakers
- Legal health experts and bioethicists
- Medical researchers and healthcare students
- Patient and healthcare advocacy organizations
Watch the GAEBA Webinar
For eye banking and transplantation professionals, the webinar offers an opportunity to hear directly from leaders involved in global transplantation policy and explore how the WHO’s proposed strategy could influence the future of donation and transplantation.
Those interested in contributing to the WHO public consultation are encouraged to review the provisional strategy and submit feedback by August 31, 2026.
About the Speakers
Efstratios (Stratos) Chatzixiros
Efstratios (Stratos) Chatzixiros serves at the World Health Organization Headquarters in Geneva as Advisor and responsible officer for the Organs, Tissues and Cells Transplantation Programme. His career has included nearly a decade with the National Transplant Organization of Greece, where he served as Head of the Transplant Coordination and Oversight Department, as well as international roles with Italian and French transplantation authorities.
Since joining WHO Headquarters in 2016, his work has included monitoring implementation of relevant resolutions, developing guidance and standards, sharing best practices and supporting countries in establishing national donation and transplantation systems. His international experience also includes work focused on quality, safety, vigilance and surveillance across donation and transplantation systems.
Associate Professor Graeme Pollock
Associate Professor Graeme Pollock has more than three decades of experience in eye banking and corneal donation and transplantation. Beginning his eye banking career in 1991 as the inaugural Director of the Lions Eye Donation Service in Melbourne, Australia, Pollock helped advance corneal imaging, preservation and lamellar tissue preparation across Australia and New Zealand.
He later became the architect and first convenor of the Global Alliance of Eye Bank Associations and led the development and publication of The Barcelona Principles, which established an ethical framework for the use of donated human tissue for ocular transplantation, research and future technologies.
Pollock also developed the world’s first graduate course in Eye Donation and Eye Banking at the University of Melbourne. In recognition of his contributions to corneal transplantation and education, he was awarded the Order of Australia in 2018.
About Vision Share
Vision Share is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and proudly represents the world’s largest network of eye banks. Each member eye bank is Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) certified and registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Guided by a shared vision, Vision Share pools resources to provide surgeons and researchers with ocular tissue tailored to their specific needs. If you’re interested in learning more about how we’re supporting eye banks, surgeons, and researchers worldwide, we’d love to hear from you. Contact the Vision Share team today.
