Geneva, Switzerland — Throughout the Interministerial Assembly on Polio within the Horn of Africa and Yemen, held on the sidelines of the Seventy-ninth World Well being Meeting (WHA79) on 20 Could 2026, international locations reaffirmed their dedication to ending variant poliovirus transmission by means of stronger cross-border coordination, strengthened surveillance and synchronized motion. The assembly was collectively convened by the WHO Regional Workplace for Africa (AFRO) and the WHO Regional Workplace for the Jap Mediterranean (EMRO), and chaired by WHO Regional Director for Africa, Professor Mohamed Janabi.
Bringing collectively Ministers of Well being and senior authorities representatives from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen, alongside International Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) companions and representatives from the Intergovernmental Authority on Growth (IGAD), the assembly centered on accelerating regional collaboration to cease transmission in one of many world’s most interconnected and complicated polio epidemiological settings.
The Horn of Africa and Yemen collectively stay one of many world’s most difficult polio epidemiological subregions, formed by inhabitants motion throughout porous borders, humanitarian crises, insecurity and chronic immunity gaps. Nations within the bloc proceed to face outbreaks of variant poliovirus, together with Somalia’s extended variant poliovirus sort 2 (cVDPV2) outbreak, first detected in 2017 and Yemen’s ongoing cVDPV2 outbreak, which has paralysed 452 kids – most of whom are within the northern governorates – since 2021.
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Regardless of these challenges, latest progress demonstrates that coordinated motion is yielding outcomes. Kenya has reported no poliovirus instances since July 2024, Ethiopia has achieved a 98% discount in detections of circulating variant poliovirus sorts 1 and a pair of in 2025, and Djibouti has recorded no detections of variant poliovirus sorts 1 and a pair of since Could 2025 following intensified response measures. Earlier this 12 months, Ethiopia and South Sudan additionally launched synchronized vaccination campaigns after variant poliovirus sort 1 (cVDPV1) was detected close to their shared border, highlighting the continued threat of cross-border transmission.
“Polio eradication stays our highest precedence. Regardless of the challenges we face, Somalia is totally dedicated to interrupting transmission, together with by lowering zero-dose kids, strengthening accountability and possession, enhancing entry to hard-to-reach communities and reinforcing regional collaboration to deal with cross-border inhabitants motion,” mentioned H.E. Ali Haji Adam, Minister of Well being of Somalia, on the assembly. He additionally emphasised continued efforts to shut operational gaps and thanked multilateral and International Polio Eradication Initiative companions for his or her sustained assist.
Ethiopia highlighted the significance of sustaining momentum by means of high-quality vaccination campaigns, stronger routine immunization, surveillance and cross-border coordination to deal with outbreaks of each poliovirus sorts 1 and a pair of, significantly in border areas. “This assembly gives an vital alternative to additional strengthen coordination with neighbouring international locations and regional mechanisms, as we work collectively to cease transmission,” mentioned H.E. Mekdes Daba, Minister of Well being of Ethiopia, whereas additionally acknowledging the assist of companions, together with Rotary, by means of Rotarians engaged on the bottom.
Contributors emphasised that sustained political dedication and collaboration stay important to stopping transmission in a area the place mobility, insecurity and humanitarian emergencies proceed to extend the chance of unfold.
“At a time of competing well being emergencies and monetary pressures, we can’t lose sight of what’s at stake: defending each little one. As we work collectively to cease poliovirus transmission within the area by the tip of 2027, stronger cross-border coordination and sturdy surveillance will likely be important to sustaining progress and defending communities,” mentioned Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa.
The assembly occurred amid a troublesome world well being financing setting and declining exterior funding for polio eradication. Ministers underscored the significance of elevated home useful resource mobilization, prioritization and environment friendly implementation of actions to maintain progress regardless of operational pressures corresponding to gas shortages, rising prices and competing public well being priorities.
Authorities representatives reaffirmed their dedication to enhancing the standard of vaccination campaigns, strengthening routine immunization and shutting immunity gaps, significantly amongst underserved populations in border communities, distant rural areas, insecure settings and cellular teams. Additionally they dedicated to enhancing poliovirus surveillance, together with increasing community-based surveillance in hard-to-reach areas, and integrating vaccination with broader well being companies to make sure well timed outbreak detection and speedy response to outbreaks.
Mr Michael McGovern, Polio Oversight Board (POB) Chair, recommended international locations for his or her efforts to conduct high-quality polio actions regardless of funding constraints, whereas emphasizing the necessity to keep momentum by means of robust surveillance, sustained dedication, and shut coordination to cease poliovirus transmission.
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Talking on behalf of GPEI companions, Dr Chris Elias, a member of the POB and President of the International Growth Program on the Gates Basis, emphasised the significance of reaching kids who’ve by no means acquired vaccines and leveraging initiatives corresponding to Gavi’s rollout of hexavalent vaccines to increase safety in opposition to preventable illnesses.
Because the assembly concluded, ministers reaffirmed their shared dedication to sustained collaboration, coordinated motion, stronger oversight and accountability to guard kids from polio, making certain no nation within the area is left behind within the effort to eradicate the illness.
Sustaining progress in opposition to polio requires robust partnerships and continued funding. The International Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) acknowledges the assist of the King Salman Humanitarian Assist and Aid Middle for eradication efforts within the Area, together with Ethiopia, Somalia and Yemen. Assist from the Mohammad bin Zayed Humanitarian Basis, along with contributions from different donors and GPEI companions, helps international locations strengthen immunization, defend kids and transfer nearer to a polio-free, extra equitable world.