At the General Assembly of member countries held prior to the main congress, the International Retinitis Pigmentosa Association adopted a formal change of name to RETINA INTERNATIONAL. This was done to reflect the inclusion of all forms of retinal degeneration under the umbrella body. Christina Fasser was re-elected as the international President.

Three new member countries were accepted into the Association - Norway as a full member and Hungary and Rumania as observer members. Two new countries making their appearance were Estonia and Jordan. Japan won the bid for the 2002 World Congress while Canada reported on progress for the millennium congress being held in Ontario in 2000.