Saudi Arabia Reaffirms $500 Million Commitment to Global Polio Eradication Initiative
Riyadh, The Gulf Observer: Saudi Arabia has reaffirmed its $500 million pledge to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) during the fourth Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum, underscoring its commitment to global health security and the eradication of polio.
The forum brought together global health leaders, including Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief); Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO); Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF; Dr. Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; Dr. Chris Elias, President of Global Development at the Gates Foundation and Chair of the Polio Oversight Board; and Aziz Memon, head of the Pakistan Polio Program at Rotary International.
A key outcome of the forum was the signing of an agreement aimed at supporting GPEI and its partners in vaccinating 370 million children annually and ultimately halting the transmission of the poliovirus. This funding, initially pledged in April 2024 at the World Economic Forum (WEF) special meeting in Riyadh, reinforces Saudi Arabia’s role in the global fight against polio.
Dr. Al Rabeeah emphasized the significance of Saudi Arabia’s contribution, stating, “The world is on track to eradicate polio once and for all, and Saudi Arabia is proud to be part of this global initiative. Our contribution will support efforts to protect today’s most vulnerable children, ensuring future generations can live free from this preventable disease.”
Polio cases have declined by more than 99% since the inception of GPEI in 1988. While over 20 million people have been spared paralysis, challenges persist in regions such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Yemen, where humanitarian crises have enabled the virus to continue affecting children. In 2024, the disease re-emerged in Gaza after 25 years, paralyzing a child and highlighting the ongoing risk posed by polio.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus acknowledged the progress made but warned of the challenges ahead, stating, “We have come a long way in our shared mission to erase polio from history, but the last mile is the hardest. Completing the mission requires unwavering determination, and this generous contribution from Saudi Arabia will help us reach children in conflict-affected and hard-to-reach areas.”
Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the fragility of eradication efforts. “As we saw in Gaza last year, hard-won gains can be reversed if vaccination rates decline. With committed partners like Saudi Arabia, we can better reach every child with life-saving vaccines and end polio once and for all.”
Bill Gates, Chairman of the Gates Foundation, highlighted the dramatic reduction in polio cases, stating, “Just a few decades ago, polio affected 350,000 children each year. In 2023, that number fell to just 12. The world is on the verge of eliminating this disease, but reaching the finish line requires continued global leadership and support.”
Saudi Arabia’s renewed commitment reinforces international efforts to fully fund the GPEI’s Extended Strategy 2022-2029, ensuring essential vaccinations reach children in vulnerable communities worldwide. With sustained collaboration, global health leaders remain hopeful that polio will soon become a disease of the past.
