Dr Brandling-Bennett, Co-Chair of the Global Malaria Action Plan 2 Task Force;
Dr Eric Mouzin from the Roll Back Malaria Partnership;
Distinguished representatives of the Ministries of Health and of the national malaria programmes of the Region;
Development partners, representatives of international organizations, civil society, academia and the private sector;
Colleagues;
Good morning.
I would like to welcome back those of you who have been with us over the past few days and greet those who are joining us today for this joint meeting between the Roll Back Malaria Partnership and WHO.
As you know, there is much to celebrate concerning the malaria situation in this Region.
Between 2000 and 2012, confirmed malaria cases in the Western Pacific Region were reduced by about 30%. During the same time, reported malaria deaths dropped by more than 80%.
This is an exceptional achievement, and these lives could not have been saved were it not for the concerted efforts of our Member States, partners and stakeholders.
All 10 malaria-endemic countries in the Region are now putting malaria elimination strategies into effect.
So, our enthusiasm is well founded, but we know that progress against malaria has not been smooth or uniform.
Most countries — such as the Philippines and Viet Nam — have already reached their 2015 reduction targets.
Others are moving more slowly.
One Member State is actually facing an outbreak that now threatens its gains.
There is no doubt that achievements over the past decade are a result of substantial investments by our development partners, as well as the commitment of governments and strong cooperation among implementing partners.
I speak not only for the Western Pacific Region, but also for WHO as a whole, when I thank them for their solidarity.
We look forward to strengthening this collaboration.
The establishment last year of the Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance underscores Member State recognition that malaria must be tackled as a core development issue, and that the threat of artemisinin resistance must be addressed as a top priority.
I thank the prime ministers of Australia and Viet Nam for chairing the Alliance.
I am also grateful to our strategic partner, the Asian Development Bank, for graciously hosting the Secretariat.
Earlier this week, members of the Alliance met in this very room — chaired by the ministers of health of Australia and India — to find solutions to pharmaceutical and related issues concerning malaria control and the challenge posed by artemisinin resistance.
Let me take this opportunity to thank the growing number of partners, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Global Fund and the governments of Australia and the United States, for their energetic commitment to the emergency response to artemisinin resistance.
As you know, WHO’s Global Malaria Programme is now developing its Global Technical Strategy for Malaria: 2016-2025.
The strategy will provide technical guidance for the next 10 years to support communities, countries and regions as they work towards a world free of malaria.
Earlier this week, Member States, partners and WHO met to provide regional inputs into a draft of this new strategy.
The strategy will provide the technical foundation for the new Global Malaria Action Plan, or GMAP 2, which the Roll Back Malaria Partnership is tasked to develop.
GMAP2 is expected to provide the global framework for advocacy, fundraising, partnerships and multisectoral collaboration – all of which are needed to operationalize the Global Technical Strategy.
Your presence here today and tomorrow to provide regional inputs into GMAP2 is especially important and valued.
Before I go, I would like to take a minute to touch on the worrying issue of financing.
The tremendous economic growth in Asia in recent years has allowed several countries to reach middle-income status, which means they lose some international aid.
At the same time, successes against malaria have led some governments in the Region to divert domestic funds from fighting the disease, in the mistaken belief that the battle is won.
A word of caution is needed.
If programmes are not adequately sustained, a resurgence of malaria could be swift and devastating.
We have seen this already during the global malaria eradication era and, more recently, in some endemic countries.
At WHO, we urge all our partners to increase efforts to find innovative channels of funding.
Increased coordination, harmonization and synergy are vital to achieve success in this new financial reality.
As we plan for the future, let me put on record my appreciation of the long history of successful collaboration between our Regional Office and our colleagues in Roll Back Malaria.
You will recall that the Western Pacific was the first region, back in 1999, to launch a regional Roll Back Malaria Partnership, called the Mekong Roll Back Malaria Initiative.
These may be uncertain times.
But our confidence remains high, and our support for the work of our Member States and stakeholders is stronger than ever.
I wish you great success in your consultations.
Thank you.