Anyone looking for evidence of how big international meetings can be used to deliver tangible results for the world’s poorest people should look closely at Davos this evening.

Today’s announcement by UK Prime Minister David Cameronthat the UK will double its support this year and next to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative underlines our commitment to stay at the forefront of the global fight to eradicate polio.

At Davos this evening, the prime minister, Bill and Melinda Gates, and World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan were clear that action—not just words—is still needed when it comes to tackling this terrible disease.

The impact of the actions announced today will be obvious for all to see as an extra 45 million children are fully vaccinated against polio over the next two years.

Britain cannot fight this terrible disease alone. Nor is it just our job to do so. Polio remains a global menace until it’s eradicated. And so it’s everyone’s responsibility.

Ridding the world of polio is a true global public good. It’s in everyone’s interest. We are very proud to work in partnership with the Gates Foundation, which, with Bill and Melinda’s leadership, has shown true determination to help end needless suffering.

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is a shining example of a public-private partnership. I particularly want to salute Rotary International for its original vision to rid the world of polio. After more than twenty years of perseverance, extraordinary financial support, and leadership, Rotarians everywhere have helped bring this dream to the brink of realisation.

But if we are to break through that final, stubborn, 1 percent and eradicate polio once and for all, we need additional partners to join this effort.

Potential partners—governments, businesses, and philanthropists—should know that their contribution will make a huge difference. In the last two years alone, the UK’s support for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative has helped save 400 million children using more than 1.2 billion doses of the vaccine.

We are fighting to eliminate polio where it is still endemic—Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India—and support efforts to contain and combat outbreaks wherever they occur.

Polio can still kill and leave even more children permanently disabled every year.

If you still need convincing that fighting this devastating disease should be a priority—you don’t even need to look as far as Africa and Asia.

While polio was eradicated in Britain 13 years ago, 120,000 people are still living with its debilitating effects. Many people reading this will have a friend or relative who has been a victim of this terrible disease.

And just as we were here in Britain, so we are committed to achieving the eradication of polio elsewhere so that all children can live a life free from this disease.

As the Prime Minister and Bill Gates said today, “Doing nothing is not an option.” If we leave this disease unchecked, it will simply spread, and the cost to lives and finances will be far higher.

The UK has increased its efforts to fight polio, and now is the time for the rest of the world to stand with us in this noble endeavour.