Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance - APLMA

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 .

14/01/2026

Progress across Asia Pacific over the past decade has been marked by exceptional resilience and an unwavering resolve to eliminate by 2030. APLMA turns evidence into action – facilitating national malaria policy decisions, sharing best practices, and uniting countries and partners across the region to end malaria. Our work continues to empower national health leaders to turn political commitment into tangible action.

While the challenges of eliminating malaria and other vector-borne diseases remain significant, Asia Pacific's collective momentum throughout the years has demonstrated that is not only possible, but within our reach. As we look towards 2030, APLMA remains committed to supporting countries and partners to foster cross-border collaboration, accelerate efforts to close critical resource and implementation gaps, and strengthen health system capacities to ensure regional health security for generations to come.

As we enter a new year, we invite you to watch this video, which brings to life our ongoing commitment to sustaining malaria gains on the path toward a malaria-free by 2030.



Also available on APLMA's Youtube: https://youtu.be/1HCAKN3-TBk?si=fKykAswc_eRR6gfE

This week, APLMA was honoured to participate in the 11th ASEAN Health Cluster 2 (AHC 2) Meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand....
19/12/2025

This week, APLMA was honoured to participate in the 11th ASEAN Health Cluster 2 (AHC 2) Meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Focal points from across the region convened to share updates and forge strategies to bolster health system resilience in response to communicable diseases, emerging infectious diseases, and neglected tropical diseases.

As an official development partner of AHC 2, APLMA presented proposed activities to support the 2026-2030 work programme. The meeting was key to initiating discussions that will chart the path for the prevention and control of malaria, alongside other major communicable diseases such as dengue, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis.

We look forward to continued collaboration with Member States and partners to advance malaria elimination and secure a malaria-free future for the region.

faces a distinctive challenge in its effort to eliminate . Plasmodium knowlesi is a zoonotic threat unique to the reg...
18/12/2025

faces a distinctive challenge in its effort to eliminate . Plasmodium knowlesi is a zoonotic threat unique to the region, circulates between macaques, and is transmitted to humans via mosquitoes.

Malaysia has reported zero indigenous malaria cases for seven consecutive years, yet it bears the highest burden of , accounting for 89% of reported infections globally and three indigenous deaths in 2024. Border areas remain particularly vulnerable, with lower levels detected in Cambodia, Indonesia, and Thailand.

To address this, Indonesia and Malaysia, through a Peer-to-Peer Exchange on Malaria Surveillance and Response supported by APLMA through Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network, marked an important step forward. By aligning surveillance systems and strengthening response protocols, both countries are working together to monitor and contain P. knowlesi across shared borders – building a coordinated approach against this evolving threat.

Responding to this evolving epidemiological situation calls for more than isolated efforts. Strong regional data sharing, operational research, and cross-border collaboration will remain central to success. Read more on the latest here: https://bit.ly/4iNJQqE

Anti-malarial drug resistance first emerged in the Greater Mekong Subregion in the 1950s. The long-standing crisis broug...
17/12/2025

Anti-malarial drug resistance first emerged in the Greater Mekong Subregion in the 1950s. The long-standing crisis brought together global actors: pooling large-scale investments through The Global Fund’s Regional Artemisinin-resistance Initiative (RAI), which has channelled over US$700 million since 2014. Together with World Health Organization (WHO)-led programs and other partners, the GMS continues to strengthen surveillance, accelerating data sharing, and adapting treatments.

Following a decade of sustained efforts, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Viet Nam are now rapidly approaching elimination — a remarkable feat for a region long recognised as the epicentre of anti-malarial drug resistance.

But progress remains fragile amid global setbacks: only 42% of global funding needs were met in 2024, while funding cuts in 2025 risk reversing hard-won gains.

Sustained investment and political will remain critical in the way forward: https://www.aplma.org/blog/press-release-asia-pacific-secures-malaria-gains-amid-global-setbacks

12/12/2025

The world’s second-largest island, the island of New Guinea – comprising Indonesia’s Papua region and Papua New Guinea – is grappling with a surmountable yet complex burden. The island of New Guinea faces a dual burden of both the deadliest and hardest to treat forms of malaria that continue to thrive on the shared ecological and anthropological landscapes that favour persistent transmission.

However, malaria does not stop at national borders. The island of New Guinea must be recognized as a single epidemiological unit – “One Island” – that demands a united, cross-border malaria elimination strategy. With transmission levels comparable to Africa, elimination in the island of New Guinea hinges on established political commitment from both countries, regional health leadership including sustained support from World Health Organization (WHO) WPRO and partners, and tailored, inclusive approaches that reflect the island’s unique realities and the needs of the local communities.

Read the commentary here: https://www.aplma.org/blog/one-island-approach-for-indonesia-and-papua-new-guinea-to-fight-malaria-on-the-island-of-new-guinea

11/12/2025

’s malaria journey has been a story of progress and persistence. In 2024, the region marks a significant milestone in its fight against malaria, achieving an 8% reduction in indigenous cases – a testament to the collective efforts of 11 malaria-endemic countries driving this progress.

Some nations stood out as beacons of success. Bhutan is on its third consecutive year without indigenous cases, while Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Viet Nam in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region have sustained historic lows in indigenous cases for the second-year running. Further south, Malaysia continues its remarkable streak in zero non-zoonotic cases for seven consecutive years.

Across the Pacific, the path forward comes with added complexity. The Solomon Islands, despite its heavy malaria burden, achieved a notable 15% reduction in indigenous cases – or over 18,000 fewer infections than the previous year. Nearby, Vanuatu recorded a 30% reduction compared with 2023 – a strong recovery from the surge in recent years, though case levels remain above 2021 figures, before the increase began.

These statistics in Asia Pacific underscore a powerful truth: unwavering commitment, coordinated action and shared innovation drive real, measurable change. By building on recent years, we can turn progress into lasting change and move closer to a Asia Pacific.

For more information, read the here: https://bit.ly/4iNJQqE

09/12/2025

Estimated malaria cases in Pakistan have dropped by over 1.1 million marking an impressive 26.4% reduction from the previous count, according to the latest World Malaria Report 2025.

With support from and partners, the Government of Pakistan mounted a coordinated public health response, restoring access to diagnosis, treatment, and vector control.

This achievement marks a dramatic reversal, halting two-year surge in cases that followed the catastrophic floods of 2022 – driven by growing impacts of climate change that led to destroyed infrastructure and livelihoods, uprooting millions of people from their homes and resulted in the largest malaria outbreak in half a century.

APLMA commends Pakistan for its unwavering commitment and leadership in tackling the crisis. The country's ability to mobilize resources and implement effective interventions has set an example for the region.

For more information, read the here: https://bit.ly/4iNJQqE

Leading global progress against , the WHO South-East Asia Region (SEARO) is the only region on track to achieve the Glo...
05/12/2025

Leading global progress against , the WHO South-East Asia Region (SEARO) is the only region on track to achieve the Global Technical Strategy (GTS) targets. Together with the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO), SEARO is one of only two regions showing a decline in estimated malaria cases and deaths, with notable progress in Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand.

These successes reflect what collective action and sustained investment can achieve, demonstrating how consistent, coordinated efforts can overcome evolving challenges.

For more information, access the full World Health Organization (WHO) for 2025 here: https://bit.ly/4iNJQqE

Stay tuned for more highlights on the other WHO Regions covering Asia Pacific, coming soon.

Taking the stage at the 16th International Conference on Vector-Borne Diseases at Ravenshaw University’s Seven Pillars o...
28/11/2025

Taking the stage at the 16th International Conference on Vector-Borne Diseases at Ravenshaw University’s Seven Pillars of Wisdom Hall in Cuttack last weekend, Dr. Sarthak Das, CEO of APLMA, reflected on Asia Pacific’s mixed progress toward malaria elimination. In his plenary speech, Dr. Das highlighted the region’s key achievements as well as emerging challenges across epidemiological, financing, and implementation fronts, and emphasized that innovation, cross-sectoral collaboration, and sustained commitment will remain key to sustaining momentum towards achieving malaria elimination goals across the region.

Under the theme “Innovation to Impact,” the conference brought together experts from academia, science, public health, and the pharmaceutical industry to examine evidence and set priorities for accelerating the fight against vector-borne diseases in India, including . Malaria discussions were multi-pronged, ranging from evidence of strong health and economic returns demonstrated by the Mandla elimination project, insights into malaria investment gaps, to the imperative of integrating evidence-based radical cure protocols within national health systems. Experts also highlighted advances in diagnostics and community-driven delivery models as critical enablers for sustainable malaria outcomes.

On the sidelines, APLMA convened a distinguished group of experts for the first consultation on the White Paper titled “India’s Malaria Elimination Goal of 2030: Where We Are and What Is Needed". The paper will guide national priority-setting toward achieving India's malaria elimination goals.

Together, these collective efforts reaffirm ’s commitment to transforming vision into measurable impact and sustaining progress toward a malaria-free future.

24/11/2025

At The Global Fund’s Eighth Replenishment Summit, partners from around the world pledged US$11.34 billion – with proud to celebrate five public donor pledges and counting – to sustain the fight against AIDS, TB and , and protect generations to come.

Despite a year of geopolitical and economic turbulence, the outcome reflects the unity and resolve that persist despite a period of fiscal tightening, conflict and global uncertainty.

With more commitments pending, the Replenishment reinforces that global solidarity endures and that collective action against the three epidemics remains possible.

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