World leaders have pledged $1.9 billion at a meeting in Abu Dhabi to eradicate polio—an effort that will protect at least 370 million children from the disease.
Media reports indicate that, amid declining global aid, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) is projected to face a funding shortfall of $1.7 billion by 2029.
This shortfall is largely due to reduced international contributions, a trend led by the United States, which is withdrawing from the World Health Organization.
Other wealthy countries, including Germany and the United Kingdom, have also reduced their contributions.
It is worth noting that Afghanistan and Pakistan are the two countries with the highest number of polio cases.
Despite global efforts to eradicate polio worldwide, the virus has not been fully eliminated in some countries, including Afghanistan and Pakistan.
According to available data, around 36 confirmed cases of polio were recorded in Afghanistan and Pakistan in 2025.
In response to this situation, partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative plan to place greater emphasis on surveillance and vaccination in areas with high transmission risks.
Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, said that the new support pledged in Abu Dhabi is crucial to reaching all children affected by polio and stopping the spread of various strains of the virus worldwide.
The meeting, organized by the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund during Abu Dhabi Finance Week, reduced the funding gap for the polio eradication program for the years 2022 to 2029 to $440 million.
