On May 5, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched an ambitious global initiative to eradicate malaria by the year 2030. The announcement was made at a high-level summit in Geneva, where government officials, international health organizations, and key partners in the fight against malaria gathered to discuss the progress made so far and outline the critical steps needed to end this deadly disease.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, opened the summit with an impassioned speech, calling malaria one of the most preventable and treatable diseases globally, yet one that still claims over 200,000 lives annually, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. “We know what works. We know how to end malaria. Now, we must act together, urgently, and with determination to ensure that no child dies of malaria by 2030,” Dr. Tedros declared.
The initiative, which was announced during the WHO’s 2025 World Malaria Congress, calls for increased investment in both prevention and treatment efforts. Key components of the plan include the distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets, the expansion of rapid diagnostic tests and treatments, and the development of new vaccines. Notably, the WHO’s Global Malaria Program has set the goal of scaling up the groundbreaking malaria vaccine RTS,S, which has shown promise in clinical trials in several African countries.
One of the most significant outcomes of the summit was the commitment from governments around the world to increase funding for malaria control efforts. The United States, through the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), pledged an additional $500 million toward global malaria efforts. Other nations, including the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, followed suit with increased funding commitments, which will go toward providing access to prevention, treatment, and diagnostic services in the highest burden countries.
In addition to government pledges, private sector and philanthropic organizations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria made significant contributions to the cause. Bill Gates, co-chair of the Gates Foundation, spoke at the event, stating, “Ending malaria is within our grasp. With the right investments and continued innovation, we can eliminate this disease once and for all.”
The initiative also emphasizes the importance of strengthening local health systems, ensuring that communities in malaria-endemic regions have access to the tools and infrastructure needed to fight the disease effectively. Dr. Ayoade Alakija, a Nigerian physician and advocate for global health, echoed this point during the summit, stressing the need for local capacity building and leadership to ensure long-term success.
Experts agree that while significant progress has been made in reducing malaria cases over the past decade, continued political will, funding, and innovation are necessary to achieve the goal of malaria eradication by 2030. The WHO’s initiative marks a pivotal moment in the fight against malaria, which, despite being preventable, remains one of the most significant health threats in many parts of the world.
