Advancing Japan–Africa Dialogue on Polio Eradication: Liaison Engages African Diplomatic Missions in Tokyo Ahead of World Polio Day

In the lead-up to World Polio Day, Liaison is strengthening dialogue between Japan and African diplomatic missions in Tokyo on the evolving challenges and priorities shaping the final phase of global polio eradication. 

As part of this effort, Liaison has undertaken a series of diplomatic engagements with African embassies in Tokyo to discuss the evolving challenges facing the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), particularly the growing importance of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) outbreaks in Africa. Over the past several months, Dr. Wrishmeen Sabawoon, Senior Advisor to Liaison, and the Liaison team met with the Embassies of Nigeria, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Cameroon, and exchanged communications with the Embassy of Angola. Discussions focused on the global epidemiological situation, Africa's historic achievement in eliminating indigenous wild poliovirus (WPV) in 2020, and the continued threat posed by cVDPV outbreaks across the continent.

During discussions with the Embassy of Nigeria, attended by Minister Counsellor Abiola Sherifat Delupe and First Secretary / Head of Chancery Badamasi Mohammed, Liaison shared recent data and analysis on the role of cVDPV in the final phase of global eradication. Embassy representatives indicated that the information and recommendations would be communicated to relevant authorities in Nigeria. At the Embassy of Sudan, attended by Ambassador Elrayih Hyduob and Deputy Head of Mission Ali Mohamed Ahmed Osman Mohamed, discussions covered both the public health and humanitarian dimensions of polio eradication. The Ambassador noted that the security situation in Sudan is gradually improving and expressed interest in future collaboration. At the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, attended by Ambassador Lukumwena Nsenda and Assistant to the Ambassador Kashongwe Nsimire Sylvie, the discussions highlighted strong support for enhanced Japan–Africa cooperation on polio eradication and health security. Discussions highlighted the important role of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the National Institute for Biomedical Research (INRB) in the DRC, which has benefited from support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). A subsequent meeting was also held at the Embassy of Cameroon for a constructive discussion on ways to raise awareness of the continuing cVDPV challenge in Africa.

These engagements have highlighted a shared recognition that while Africa has successfully eliminated indigenous wild poliovirus, cVDPV outbreaks remain one of the most significant barriers to achieving a permanently polio-free world. The discussions also underscored the potential for strengthened collaboration between African countries and Japan through diplomatic engagement, surveillance innovation, health systems strengthening, and partnerships aligned with the objectives of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD).

This World Polio Day and everyday, Liaison remains committed to supporting dialogue, partnership, and advocacy efforts that contribute to a polio-free Africa and a polio-free world.