Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo and Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair Holger Knaack are currently on an official visit to Pakistan.
In their honor, Rotary District 63 hosted a high-level reception in Islamabad, bringing together diplomats, civil society leaders, and Rotary officials to recognize humanitarian efforts and renew global partnerships in public health, education, and climate action.
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The purpose of the visit is to strengthen Rotary’s collaboration in Pakistan and spotlight its ongoing humanitarian work particularly in the areas of polio eradication, education, climate resilience, and public health.
Addressing the audience, Trustee Chair Holger Knaack spoke about the financial hurdles in achieving global polio eradication, especially following recent funding cuts:
“We are close to eradicating polio completely, but we must still reach every child particularly in the remaining pockets of Pakistan and Afghanistan. This could take one or two more years, but we are committed to finishing the job. The biggest issue now is funding. After the American administration stepped back from WHO support, 25% of the funding disappeared. We urgently need sufficient resources to vaccinate every child.”
Meanwhile, Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo commended Pakistan’s infrastructure and efforts in supporting polio eradication:
“We’ve done a tremendous job in fighting polio, and we are down to the final mile which is always the most challenging. Pakistan has strong networks, dedicated government support, and public cooperation. While many of our global partners are facing financial pressure and considering budget reductions, our commitment remains strong. We believe we can finish this mission.”
Speakers at the event also addressed broader development challenges, particularly the growing impact of climate change. Despite contributing minimally to global carbon emissions, Pakistan remains one of the most vulnerable countries.
“There are thousands of donors who serve humanity silently. Climate change is affecting the entire country. We don’t produce carbon, yet we are among the most affected. We must focus on climate, education, and health,” noted one participant.
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To honor the generous contributions of donors supporting Rotary’s mission in Pakistan, appreciation certificates were presented during the ceremony.
The ongoing visit by Rotary’s global leadership underscores the organization’s sustained commitment to Pakistan aiming to build a healthier, more resilient, and sustainable future for all.
