High Level Meeting of the Global Polio Partners Group at WHO

CHAIRS’ STATEMENT

High Level Meeting of the Global Polio Partners Group (PPG)

Monday, 16 June 2014

On 16 June 2014, a high-level meeting of the Polio Partners Group of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) was convened in Geneva at the World Health Organization headquarters where stakeholders re-affirmed their commitment to follow through on the Endgame strategy for achieving polio eradication. Emphasis was placed on the need to strengthen outbreak prevention and response efforts, on actions being taken to actively keep the three endemic countries on track to stop transmission of the polio virus, and on the implementation of measures to vaccinate travellers from key infected countries under the International Health Regulations. Attention was devoted to initiatives aimed at further enhancing program oversight and governance, on the critical role of communications and social mobilization in tackling remaining obstacles to eradication, on plans to introduce the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV), on the development of the global polio legacy framework, and on financial and budget matters. Participants formally endorsed the revised GPEI monitoring framework for the Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan 2013-2018.

During the high level meeting, PPG stakeholders:

 Expressed concern at recent backward trends, underscored the need to avoid complacency and pessimism, and reiterated the need to remain focused on effectively responding to the challenges highlighted in the recent Independent Monitoring Board report, including by collaborating to:

1) sustain the positive momentum in Nigeria and Afghanistan in 2014, including by ensuring focused attention during Nigeria’s upcoming elections period and Afghanistan’s own political transition;

2) support Pakistan in reshaping its program so it can achieve success; and

3) strengthen outbreak prevention and response, including in “Red List” countries at risk.

 Called on the GPEI Polio Oversight Board (POB) to brief PPG stakeholders at their Fall meeting on steps taken to enhance outbreak prevention and management efforts.

 Stressed the need for GPEI and GAVI Alliance partners to continue their efforts to reinforce the relationship between polio and routine immunization activities, and noted

Global Polio Partners Group

the consequences of this in relation to IPV introduction and social mobilization campaigns.

 Underscored the importance of communication and social mobilization initiatives to reach missed children and overcome family and community mistrust, and expressed appreciation for sophisticated and detailed analysis provided, while calling on GPEI to show greater alignment between immunization success and investments in social mobilization efforts.

 Expressed appreciation for the planned uptake of IPV in a large number of GAVI-eligible countries. Stakeholders recalled the need for countries to define their target introduction dates as soon as possible to ensure that sufficient quantities of inactivated polio vaccine are available when required. Stakeholders recommended that the POB pursue targeted follow-up at a high level with non-GAVI-eligible countries by writing to ask that they share their plans for IPV introduction, and they also called for donors to consider providing financial support for the introduction of IPV in these countries.

 Took note of POB plans to enhance its transparency, accountability and stakeholder engagement, and welcomed the update provided on plans for an open and objective management review of the polio program being commissioned by the POB. Stakeholders expressed interest in providing bilateral feedback to the consultants conducting the review, and in being provided interim feedback on the review’s progress during a PPG working level teleconference call possibly to be convened in late August or early September. Stakeholders outlined the importance of this review and requested that the POB present the outcomes of the management review at the Fall PPG meeting.

 Expressed appreciation for the increased transparency provided on financing and budget matters, called for all contributions supporting polio eradication to be reflected in GPEI financial reporting (in addition to financial contributions channelled through WHO and UNICEF and reported in Financial Resource Requirements), sought additional clarifications and precision regarding funding gap analysis, and recommended that GPEI assist donors in further highlighting contributions made and the use of innovative financing mechanisms, including through reaching out to the global media and social media.

 Acknowledged the progress achieved in the development of the Global Legacy Framework, expressed interest in providing input during the consultation process, and

considered the value of convening a working level workshop in Geneva in the fall. The PPG Co-Chairs committed to revert to stakeholders with possible dates.

 Endorsed the revised GPEI Monitoring Framework, expressing appreciation for the consultation process that was conducted in advance of the presentation to the PPG. The framework is seen as having the potential to enable a more comprehensive tracking of the program’s progress and results and as being more relevant for key external stakeholders, including to ensure accountability to taxpayers and other stakeholders .

The PPG asked the two Co-Chairs to send the PPG Chairs’ Statement to the GPEI Polio Oversight Board, the Polio Steering Committee, and the Independent Monitoring Board for their consideration and action, and to report on these results at the POB meeting scheduled for June 20, 2014.