Statement by Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director at the GPEI Presser at Abu Dhabi Finance Week

04 December 2025

The Eastern Mediterranean Region stands at a decisive moment in the effort to eradicate polio.

After the resurgence of 2023 and its peak in 2024, wild poliovirus transmission is now declining in Afghanistan and Pakistan, but progress is uneven. A few high-risk zones continue to sustain pockets of circulation that threaten gains across the Region.

We now enter a pivotal epidemiological window. The upcoming low-transmission season offers the strongest opportunity since 2022 to interrupt wild poliovirus-but only if we focus relentlessly on the areas where the virus persists.

Variant polioviruses remain a major challenge, particularly in northern Yemen and south-central Somalia. Repeated importations into Djibouti, Sudan and Egypt show that the virus will exploit any immunity gap.

All of this unfolds against the backdrop of the world's most complex emergencies. More than 115 million people in the Region require humanitarian assistance. In 2025 alone, we have responded to 61 disease outbreaks and three of the world's largest displacement crises. Persistently low routine immunization coverage continues to amplify the risk of polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

Countries are now intensifying efforts to strengthen routine immunization and integrate polio and EPI programmes. Joint microplanning, shared data, co-delivery of antigens, and expanded outreach are helping reach zero-dose and under-immunized children.

Even in the most challenging settings, when vaccinators reach children, outbreaks can be stopped-as Gaza demonstrated with three rapid, high-quality rounds that halted transmission within months.

What gives us confidence is the unprecedented political will and regional solidarity behind eradication. In Pakistan, the Prime Minister oversees efforts directly. In Afghanistan, health leaders and provincial governors continue to mobilize communities. Cross-border coordination has intensified, ensuring synchronized campaigns and shared data along migratory corridors. Somalia's Prime Minister has launched a national taskforce, while ministers from Djibouti, Sudan and Yemen are strengthening inter-country coordination.

This commitment is matched by exceptional partner support. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's historic 500 million USD pledge through KSrelief represents a transformative investment. The United Arab Emirates, under the patronage of His Highness President Mohamed bin Zayed, continues to deliver life-saving vaccines to millions. The Polio Legacy Challenge-supported by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE-is strengthening primary health care and routine immunization while accelerating eradication in Afghanistan.

But sustaining momentum requires predictable financing to close remaining immunity gaps. The pledging moment in Abu Dhabi comes at exactly the right time: to support countries through this critical low-transmission season and ensure every child, everywhere, receives the protection they deserve.