Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance - APLMA

Home
Singapore
Singapore
Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance - APLMA

The Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance is an initiative of Asia Pacific Heads of Government committed to eliminating malaria in the region by 2030

While malaria was once one of the world’s biggest killers, its burden is now much reduced. Yet still today, 200m people develop the disease each year and over two billion people in the Asia Pacific are at risk of infection. Despite these alarming numbers, the campaign against malaria is a global health success story. The Asia Pacific region is on target to achieve a World Health Assembly Goal of a

75% reduction in the number of cases and deaths between 2000 and 2015. Intensive efforts have already averted more than 100,000 deaths in the region since 2000. Following this success, it may seem timely to shift resources to address other issues. Unfortunately that simple logic is dangerously wrong. We need to go the final mile against malaria or we risk a malaria resurgence that will undermine what has been achieved to date. Recent progress has been due to a concerted effort and more resources. Less of either risks resurgence of the disease. APLMA is a high level political advocacy platform established to accelerate political commitment, mobilize country and regional action, and track progress to reduce malaria in line with global targets. APLMA also aims to support efforts to eliminate resistance to the front line malaria drug, artemisinin. APLMA has supported policy action through two expert taskforces focused on: Improving access to quality malaria medicines and other technologies (such as rapid diagnostic tests, long lasting bed nets and insecticides); and Regional Malaria Financing. Task force recommendations culminated in the adoption of the unprecedented goal of an Asia Pacific free of malaria by 2030 at the 2014 East Asia Summit .

28/07/2026

As advances its malaria elimination efforts, the challenge is no longer solely about reaching zero cases, but also about ensuring that essential malaria services are accessible to everyone at risk.

For persons with disabilities, barriers related to accessibility, communication, transportation, and social inclusion can limit reach to essential services. Recognising this gap, APLMA and PNG's National Malaria Control Programme undertook a joint initiative project across four districts in Central Province to better understand the experiences of Papua New Guineans living with disabilities in accessing malaria services. The findings provide important evidence to inform more equitable malaria service delivery and support the systematic integration of inclusion into national malaria policies and programmes, particularly as PNG begins implementing its National Strategic Plan for Malaria 2026–2030. Read more: https://www.aplma.org/blog/leaving-no-one-behind-strengthening-disability-inclusive-malaria-services-in-papua-new-guinea

20/07/2026

At the recent 10th Asia Pacific Leaders’ Summit on Malaria Elimination, Honorable Union Minister for Health of Myanmar, Dr. Thet Khaing Win, highlighted how resurgences serve as a stark reminder of how fragile hard-won elimination gains can be, especially in the face of impacted funding.

Reaffirming ’s resolve, Honorable Minister Thet conveyed the country’s steadfast commitment to achieving the shared regional goal of malaria elimination by 2030, emphasizing the need for strengthened national ownership, more targeted implementation, and sustained alignment, particularly across the .

06/07/2026

Malaria elimination is a shared regional responsibility, according to Dr. Yong Zhang, Deputy Administrator of China’s National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, at the 10th Asia Pacific Leaders’ Summit on Malaria Elimination.

Dr. Zhang reaffirms 's commitment to working alongside countries and partners to ensure malaria elimination is achieved in the . He highlighted the importance of sustained political commitment, close cross-border collaboration, and long-term support from key partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and The Global Fund.

These collective efforts, he said, will be essential to accelerating progress, strengthening regional solidarity, and ensuring that the goal of elimination is not only achieved, but sustained for future generations to come.

30/06/2026

The recent 10ᵗʰ Asia Pacific Leaders’ Summit on Malaria Elimination put a spotlight on how closing the gap to elimination will hinge greatly on countries translating commitment into coordinated action particularly in the context of sustainability and transition. The Summit placed a strong focus on the Greater Mekong Subregion as the region embarks on the final mile.

As the Summit brought malaria leaders together to review gains, share lessons, and sharpen strategies for the way forward, discussions underscored that sustaining momentum will require strengthened domestic financing, continued political commitment, and keeping malaria high on the national agenda until elimination is achieved – all essential to securing a malaria-free future.

26/06/2026

Papua New Guinea is seeing a malaria resurgence: Coastal and lowland provinces have contributed significantly to the nation’s burden. Earlier gains between 2006 and 2013 have seen marked progress, however, funding constraints, declining intervention effectiveness, depletion of commodities and weakened community engagement have since dramatically reversed hard-won progress.

By 2024, cases surged to over 910,000, accounting for much of the malaria burden in Asia Pacific. In response, is pursuing bolder and more coordinated efforts, from the Joint Action Plan with Indonesia, the recent launch of the Governors Ending Malaria (GEM) Coalition, as well as a new decentralised approach outlined in the latest National Strategic Plan for 2026–2030.

Explore how Papua New Guinea’s renewed push towards elimination is advancing malaria control and elimination efforts: https://www.aplma.org/blog/malaria-in-papua-new-guinea-current-landscape-and-a-strengthened-push-towards-elimination

25/06/2026

At the recent 10th Asia Pacific Leaders’ Summit on Malaria Elimination, the was the central focus for accelerating elimination efforts toward its malaria-free goal.

With Cambodia reaching the final mile of its malaria elimination journey, Honorable Secretary of State of the Ministry of Health Cambodia, Dr. Lo Veasnakiry, reflects on this important national milestone that marks years of sustained commitment and collaboration. He emphasized that continued vigilance in the region will remain essential, underscoring the importance of enhancing cross-border collaboration across the subregion, to prevent the reintroduction of malaria, and sustain progress toward elimination.

Cambodia stands ready to transform its national achievements into broader regional impact and contribute actively to the region’s collective goal of malaria elimination by 2030.

19/06/2026

continues to face one of the highest burdens in the Asia Pacific region, with its unique geography, sociocultural diversity, and health system constraints posing significant challenges to elimination. However, 86% of the country’s malaria burden is concentrated in just nine provinces, highlighting the critical need for more targeted, subnational action.

To accelerate progress where the need is greatest, Papua New Guinea launched the Governors Ending Malaria (GEM) Coalition last month, building on a commitment made at the Provincial Leaders’ Forum during the 8th Asia Pacific Leaders' Summit on Malaria Elimination in 2024. The GEM Coalition unites governors from nine high-burden provinces to strengthen and align efforts through decisive provincial leadership and a whole-of-community approach.

Stay tuned as we unpack the state of malaria in Papua New Guinea and the action needed to address it next week. Explore key insights here: aplma.org/country/papua-new-guinea

18/06/2026

The recent 10ᵗʰ Asia Pacific Leaders’ Summit on Malaria Elimination was an important milestone in the Greater Mekong Subregion’s journey toward a malaria-free future. Honorable Minister for Health Baykham Khattiya of Lao People’s Democratic Republic expressed national pride for the country’s remarkable gains across the last decades.

Nearly 30 years ago, malaria was once deeply woven into the daily life of people, particularly those living in forested and remote areas and who cross borders in search of livelihoods. In 1997, the country faced an estimated 460,000 malaria cases as children and vulnerable communities bore the greatest burden. That story has since changed: In 2025, fewer than 300 confirmed cases were recorded nationwide.

As the region strives towards elimination, Hon. Minister Khattiya pledges to sustain these gains with determination and accountability, through collaboration and open dialogue, and to remain committed to finishing the job in the spirit of regional solidarity.

17/06/2026

Afghanistan's progress towards control and elimination has been uneven, with recent years marked by a stark reversal of earlier gains. Today, Afghanistan carries the fourth highest malaria caseload in the Asia Pacific region and continues to experience a sharp resurgence, recording over 257,000 cases in 2024 despite having achieved an 80% reduction in cases and zero malaria deaths less than a decade prior. This reversal of gains is unfolding alongside a significant funding gap that has left critical interventions unfunded for many years. As global health financing declines globally, commitments secured in the coming period will be pivotal in determining whether can close these gaps and restore momentum towards elimination.

Read our latest work below to learn more about Afghanistan's current malaria landscape and the priorities needed to strengthen the sustainability of the country's malaria response over the next five years: https://www.aplma.org/blog/malaria-in-afghanistan-recent-resurgence-and-key-priorities-for-the-next-five-years

16/06/2026

’s malaria journey has been marked by remarkable progress, having achieved a 99% reduction in indigenous cases over the past 15 years. This achievement is a testament to decades of effort underpinned by sustained political commitment, strong regional collaboration, and robust malaria control and elimination strategies. However, maintaining zero transmission now demands greater vigilance and commitment than before.

Speaking to The Phnom Penh Post, Dr. Sarthak Das, CEO of APLMA, cautioned that declining cases should not be seen as a secured victory, but rather as an imperative for sustained investment, surveillance, and political commitment to safeguard hard-won progress and ensure that remains eliminated for future generations.

Read more to learn what it takes to keep zero at zero: phnompenhpost.com/national/success-brings-a-new-malaria-challenge-keeping-zero-cases-at-zero-says-aplma-chief

Address

#04-01 Helios, 11 Biopolis Way
Singapore
138667

Website

http://www.aplma.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance - APLMA posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your university to be the top-listed University in Singapore?