Geneva — May 25, 2026 — A high‑level meeting held on the margins of the Seventy‑ninth World Health Assembly brought together global leaders, Member States, donors, and technical experts to accelerate progress toward eliminating malaria and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). The event, convened by the African Union Commission and the World Health Organization, emphasized the importance of cross‑border collaboration, integrated approaches, and sustained investment to protect vulnerable populations across Africa and beyond.
Malaria continues to affect an estimated 282 million people annually, causing around 610,000 deaths, while NTDs impact nearly one billion people worldwide. Global targets for 2030 include a 90% reduction in malaria cases and deaths, elimination of at least one NTD in 100 countries, and malaria eradication in 35 countries. Despite significant progress — including 2.3 billion malaria cases and 14 million deaths averted since 2000 — challenges such as weak health systems, drug resistance, climate change, and declining funding threaten these gains.
Speakers including Dr Daniel Ngamije Madandi, WHO Director of Malaria and NTDs, highlighted that while progress is encouraging, it remains fragile. He noted that 63 countries have already eliminated at least one NTD, and 47 countries plus one territory are certified malaria‑free. However, diseases do not respect borders, making regional cooperation essential.
Health ministers from Liberia, Senegal, and Tanzania underscored the need for stronger cross‑border surveillance, data sharing, and harmonized interventions. They emphasized that national ownership, regional coordination, and mobilization of domestic resources are critical to sustaining momentum. A joint Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cross‑border collaboration to combat NTDs is now being extended to include malaria, signaling a concrete commitment to structured cooperation.
Partners such as The END Fund, ALMA, and DNDi stressed the importance of evidence‑based, integrated health systems to ensure equitable access to care. The meeting concluded with a call for sustained investment, innovation, and solidarity to achieve Sustainable Development Goal target 3.3, which aims to end epidemics of malaria and NTDs by 2030.
