The Mohammed bin Zayed Humanitarian Impact Foundation and the Gates Foundation call for urgent action in light of expectations of an increase in child deaths.

During the Goalkeepers event in Abu Dhabi, leaders representing governments, philanthropy, business and civil society issued a unified call to accelerate progress in efforts to protect the lives of children, reduce preventable maternal deaths, and eradicate infectious diseases. This call was supported by the announcement of $1.9 billion in new commitments to support polio eradication efforts, during a pledging event organized earlier today within Abu Dhabi Financial Week, led by the Mohammed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanitarian Impact.

The Foundation provided $140 million in total new pledges, affirming its commitment to ending preventable diseases and promoting a healthier and more resilient future for communities around the world.

The Goalkeepers event, held for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa region in partnership between the Mohammed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanitarian Impact and the Gates Foundation, brought together more than 500 world leaders and change makers.

The leaders stressed the need for the world to act now to reverse the upward trend in child mortality, halt preventable maternal deaths, and complete the mission of eliminating preventable diseases – first and foremost polio.

Recent data issued by the Gates Foundation’s 2025 Goalkeepers report indicates that the number of deaths of children under the age of five is expected to rise for the first time this century. The leaders stressed that this critical stage requires bold decisions, renewed funding, and a commitment to expanding the scope of innovations capable of saving millions of lives by 2045.

The pledging event, organized by the Mohammed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanitarian Impact, saw countries, charities and development partners come together in renewing their commitment to eradicating polio. Of the total $1.9 billion announced, about $1.2 billion will be allocated to support the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, accelerating vital efforts to reach 370 million children annually with polio vaccines, in addition to strengthening health systems in affected countries to protect children from other preventable diseases.

These funds will contribute to accelerating vital efforts to reach 370 million children annually with polio vaccines, and strengthen health systems in the most affected countries to protect children from preventable diseases.

With the world polio-free rate reaching 99%, the leaders stressed that bridging the final gap represents a moral duty and evidence of the ability of coordinated global action to defeat the most intractable diseases.

Acting Director General of the Mohamed Bin Zayed Foundation for Humanitarian Impact, Dr. Shamma Khalifa Al Mazrouei, said: “The eradication of polio is within reach, and the generous pledges announced today bring us closer to achieving this goal. Both Goalkeepers Abu Dhabi and today’s Moment of Pledges underscore what can be accomplished when countries and donors come together: a polio-free future and a healthier, more resilient world.”

The new funding reflects a growing realization that investing in human health, even amid global economic challenges, is one of the highest-return investments. A significant portion of the funding will be allocated to support efforts to protect the lives of children, including expanding access to vaccines, protecting newborns, and ensuring the sustainability of immunization programs in fragile and conflict-affected areas.

On this occasion, Gates Foundation President Bill Gates said: “A very large number of children are still losing their lives due to diseases that we have ways to prevent. The tools already exist, including proven effective vaccines, treatments, and delivery strategies, and countries are working hard to get them to the groups most in need. The support announced today will contribute to strengthening those efforts, protecting the most vulnerable children, and helping the world stay on the right track to eradicating polio once and for all.”

Since 2011, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, has provided $525 million to support polio eradication efforts, which has helped deliver vaccines to more than 400 million children annually.

The Goalkeepers event in Abu Dhabi this year was under the slogan “Imagine the Possible World,” highlighting the achievements the world can achieve through courage, building partnerships, and embracing innovation. The event included key highlights including:
• Honoring Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, “Mother of the Emirates,” with the Goalkeepers Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her continued support of women and children. This was followed by a speech by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, in which he praised Her Highness and expressed his appreciation for her ancient humanitarian legacy.

• International actor and activist David Oyelowo managed the event evening in a manner that combined clarity of purpose and a sense of responsibility.

• A dialogue session moderated by Becky Anderson, Managing Editor of CNN International, brought together on stage Bill Gates and Her Excellency Reem Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Cooperation.

• A powerful call by Ramesh Veres, polio survivor and global campaigner, to achieve complete eradication of the disease.

• Story presentations by global change makers who shared their lived experiences on child protection and health equity.

• A distinctive singing performance by Adi Kunle Gold, who inspired the audience with a message full of resilience and hope.

Together, these voices emphasized that progress is possible when the world commits to achieving it.