Rotary’s Global Voice at the World Health Assembly

Rotary recently took its place on the world stage at the 77th World Health Assembly in Geneva. This significant event brought together international leaders, health organisations and policymakers to address the most pressing global health issues. Among them, Rotary stood out for its continued leadership in the fight to eradicate polio, a cause it has championed for nearly four decades.

Representing Rotary International, Immediate Past President Gordon McInally and General Secretary John Hewko delivered a strong message of progress and persistence. Since launching the global campaign to end polio in 1985, Rotary and its partners have helped reduce cases by more than 99 percent. Entire regions are now polio-free, and millions of children have been protected through coordinated vaccination efforts. Yet the work is not over. Rotary's message at the Assembly was clear. Until the world is free of polio entirely, we must not ease our efforts.

The Assembly also reinforced the importance of strong partnerships. Rotary continues to collaborate with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. These partnerships help fund immunisation campaigns, support healthcare workers and ensure that the message of eradication remains a global priority.

As a local club, we are proud to contribute to this mission. Through awareness events, fundraising activities and symbolic acts such as illuminating local landmarks in purple, we are helping to build momentum towards a world without polio. Our efforts may seem small when viewed individually, but together they form part of a global movement that is changing the course of history.

You can read the full article from Rotary Magazine here:
Rotary's message at the World Health Assembly – July 2025