Eighteenth meeting of the WHO South-East Asia Regional Certification Commission for Poliomyelitis Eradication (SEA-RCCPE)

Location: Bangkok, Thailand

Date: 29 to 31 July 2025   

Participants: SEA-RCCPE Chair and members, Representatives of National Certification Committees for Polio Eradication (NCCPEs), National Containment Task Force, Polio Laboratory Network, MOH, Ministry of Public Health (Thailand-host country), donor and partner agencies (UNICEF, Gates Foundation), WHO HQ, EMRO, WPRO, WHO Country Offices and WHO-SEARO

Purpose: The 18th SEA-RCCPE meeting was convened by WHO-SEARO, with an aim to assessed the region’s polio-free status based on the   annual progress reports submitted by the National Certification Committee for Polio Eradication of countries across the Region and

Details: The SEA-RCCPE reviewed information provided by NCCPEs of the ten Member States and concluded that the South-East Asia Region remained free of wild polioviruses in 2024. While variant polioviruses (types 1 and 3) were reported, they were addressed promptly and appropriately.

The Commission acknowledged substantial progress in maintaining polio-free status, noting development in population immunity, surveillance sensitivity, containment, and transition efforts. However, it also noted with concern the decline in financial resources, which has led to reprioritization of operations and poses risks to surveillance sensitivity, outbreak response, and eradication goals.

The meeting also featured updates on global and regional polio developments, new vaccine research, bOPV cessation guidance from SAGE, and regional consultations on strategies on transition and on sustaining a polio-free world. The SEA-RCCPE provided general and country-specific recommendations to strengthen the polio program further.

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Authors: WHO South-East Asia Regional Office

Photo caption: 18th SEA-RCCPE meeting in progress (hybrid format) © WHO SEARO