Marking World Malaria Day 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a strong call for renewed efforts across global, national, and community levels to accelerate progress towards malaria elimination. Under the theme "Malaria ends with us: reinvest, reimagine, reignite," WHO has urged world leaders, health authorities, and civil society to step up political and financial commitments to protect hard-won gains against the disease. 

Since the late 1990s, the world has witnessed remarkable achievements in malaria control, preventing more than two billion cases and saving nearly 13 million lives since the turn of the millennium. WHO has so far certified 45 countries and one territory as malaria-free, and countries with low transmission rates continue to edge closer towards elimination. In a sign of progress, 25 of the remaining 83 malaria-endemic countries reported fewer than 10 cases of the disease in 2023. 

However, the agency has cautioned that these advances are fragile. "The history of malaria teaches us a harsh lesson: when we divert our attention, the disease resurges, taking its greatest toll on the most vulnerable," warned WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. "But the same history also shows us what’s possible: with strong political commitment, sustained investment, multisectoral action and community engagement, malaria can be defeated." 

One of the most promising developments in recent years has been the rollout of new interventions. Investments in malaria vaccines and next-generation prevention tools are beginning to pay dividends. On World Malaria Day, Mali joined 19 other African nations in introducing malaria vaccines—a major milestone in the continent’s battle against one of its deadliest diseases. The expanded vaccine rollout across Africa is expected to save tens of thousands of young lives each year.  Alongside vaccination, the deployment of a new generation of insecticide-treated nets is helping drive down malaria cases.

According to the WHO’s latest World Malaria Report, these next-generation nets—more effective than standard pyrethroid-only nets—accounted for nearly 80% of all nets delivered in sub-Saharan Africa in 2023, a substantial rise from 59% the previous year.  Despite these advances, malaria continues to pose a significant threat. In 2023 alone, nearly 600,000 people died from the disease, with the African Region bearing 95% of the global burden.

Progress has been slowed by fragile health systems, rising drug and insecticide resistance, and the growing impacts of climate change, conflict, poverty, and population displacement. Many vulnerable populations still lack access to timely prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services.  Adding to concerns, WHO has warned that anticipated funding cuts in 2025 could further derail progress.

A recent stocktaking survey by WHO revealed that more than half of its 64 country offices in malaria-endemic regions reported moderate or severe disruptions to malaria services, placing millions more at risk.  WHO has called for a reinvestment in malaria control efforts, urging endemic countries to boost domestic spending, particularly in primary healthcare.

The agency emphasized the importance of successfully replenishing key funding sources, including the Global Fund and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to sustain momentum towards malaria targets outlined in the WHO Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030.  In addition to financial commitments, WHO has stressed the need for reimagined strategies—incorporating innovative tools, next-generation diagnostics, improved service delivery methods, and new antimalarial drugs. Strengthening partnerships and multisectoral action will also be critical to tackling emerging challenges. 

Significant political commitments are already beginning to emerge. In March 2024, health ministers from 11 high-burden African countries signed the Yaoundé Declaration, pledging to prioritize malaria elimination through stronger health systems, increased domestic funding, enhanced accountability, and cross-sector collaboration.  "Ministers committed to strengthening their health systems, stepping up domestic resources, enhancing multisectoral action and ensuring a robust accountability mechanism," said Dr. Daniel Ngamije, Director of the WHO Global Malaria Programme.

"This is the kind of leadership the world must rally behind."  As World Malaria Day draws global attention to the fight against this ancient disease, WHO’s message is clear: without sustained political will, financial investment, and innovative action, progress will stall—and millions of lives will remain at risk.