News release
June 25, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
Vaccines are one of the world’s most effective, evidence-based health interventions. This is true no matter where in the world a child lives. Each year, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, provides immunizations for more than half the children born into the world, saving millions of them from life-threatening diseases like human papillomavirus (HPV), malaria, measles and polio.
Today, the Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), concluded his participation in Gavi’s pledging conference held in Brussels, Belgium, on June 25, 2025.
At the conference, Secretary Sarai reiterated Canada’s renewed commitment to global immunization efforts through its previously announced pledge of $675 million over the next five years (2026-2030), for Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance.
Gavi’s work has significant implications for global economic growth and health security and is projected to create more than $100 billion in economic benefits for supported countries over the next 5 years. Canada’s support will help Gavi provide life-saving vaccines to at least 500 million more children, preventing over 8 million deaths, protecting the world against future pandemics and disease outbreaks, as well as strengthening health systems and global health security. It will also support exciting innovations, including the rollout of the groundbreaking new malaria vaccine, as well as practical, climate-smart solutions, such as installing more than 20,000 solar-powered fridges and freezers to ensure life-saving doses stay cold in remote areas.
On the sidelines of the conference, Secretary Sarai met with key leaders in global health, including representatives from implementing countries and heads of major organizations. These included Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, Catherine Russell, UNICEF’s Executive Director, Dr. Mekdes Daba, Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, Nigeria’s Minister of Health, and Bill Gates. They discussed the future of global health efforts and the importance of sustained collaboration and innovation, to protect the progress made so far. Secretary Sarai also reaffirmed Canada’s steadfast commitment to Gavi and to making vaccines more accessible as the cornerstone of global health security.
Quotes
“The health challenges facing our world are not getting simpler. No child, anywhere, should die from a disease that immunization can prevent. Our support to Gavi will help deliver on Canada’s commitment to improve economic growth, advance global security and stand up for Canadian values such as compassion and solidarity as we strive for a better future for all.”
- Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development)
Quick facts
- Gavi has provided life-saving vaccines to more than 1.1 billion children in 78 lower-income countries, preventing more than 18.8 million deaths.
- Canada has been investing in vaccination programs and global health systems for more than 50 years. With this latest commitment, Canada’s core funding to Gavi has totalled more than $1.75 billionsince 2015.
Associated links
- Minister Hussen renews Canada’s pledge for global health and life-saving vaccines
- Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance
Contacts
Shanti Cosentino
Director of Communications
Office of the Secretary of State (International Development)
Shanti.Cosentino@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
media@international.gc.ca
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