Your Excellencies:

In 1988, member states unanimously agreed to eradicate polio. The program has since overcome many challenges through tenacity, persistence, focus and unity of purpose.

We must all remain relentless while also innovating to adapt to shifting geopolitical dynamics.

The poliovirus exploits gaps, jeopardizing the progress and a cumulative investment of over $20 billion in an infrastructure and workforce that delivers polio immunization and other vital health interventions. This prevents circulation of polio and complements country efforts to stay polio free. Of concern, our robust surveillance system has recently detected polio in countries long free from the virus. These detections remind us that polio will return if we falter.

Rotary remains fully committed. We urge all member states and stakeholders to be resourceful, resilient and resolved to pursing every opportunity to End Polio.