Today, more than 2,800 leading scientists, physicians, and global health experts from 110 endemic, polio-affected, at-risk, and partner countries launched the 2022 Scientific Declaration on Polio Eradication. The GPEI welcomes this declaration, which sends a powerful message to the world that eradication is feasible and urgently needed now.  

Although remarkable progress has been made, recent detections in countries that haven’t seen the virus for many years and persistent transmission in countries long plagued by the disease demonstrate that polio anywhere remains a threat to people everywhere. The GPEI is hopeful that this declaration can reenergize the global community around our shared vision of a polio-free world. It offers expert perspective on the promise of new tools and tactics, the benefits of polio investments to health systems, and the unacceptable consequences of failing to eradicate the disease.   

The launch of the Scientific Declaration comes one week ahead of the polio pledging moment at the World Health Summit on 18 October 2022, where the GPEI seeks to raise funds in support of its 2022-2026 Strategy. The thousands of experts who have signed the Declaration endorse the GPEI’s strategic plan, while calling on partners, donors, polio-affected country leaders, and communities to recommit to the goal of eradication and ensure children everywhere are protected from this devastating preventable disease. With their support and the commitment of the world, we can and will end polio.