World health - Chrysoula Zacharopoulou announces France is increasing its contribution to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (October 18, 2022)

On the occasion of the World Health Summit, which was held on October 18 in Berlin, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, Minister of State for Development, Francophonie and International Partnerships, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, announced that France is making an exceptional contribution of €50 million to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).

At the summit, the international community committed $2.6 billion to the GPEI. This funding will support international efforts to eradicate polio. The goal is to vaccinate 370 million children annually over the next five years to prevent new resurgences and continue disease surveillance across 50 countries.

This new contribution aligns with France’s support for the work of the World Health Organization and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi), two foundational organizations in the fight to eradicate polio. With this contribution, France is reaffirming its leading commitment to world health and, in particular, to those facing the greatest risks. This was once again confirmed by France’s historic €1.6 billion pledge during the most recent Global Fund Replenishment in September 2022.