The World Blind Union (WBU) is 25 years old. It was formed in 1984 through the union of the International Federation of the Blind and the World Council for the Welfare of the Blind. The organisation has more than 170 member countries. Some of its successes are:

• Establishment of the Institutional Development Program (IDP). With the support of Sightsavers International and the Hilton/Perkins Programme in the USA.
• Organisation of world forums on rehabilitation, literacy, human rights, such as for women who are blind or vision impaired.
• Retention of free post system for the blind.

The WBU was a key contributor to the development of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.