World Malaria Day 2025: messages

Major public health problem

Despite significant progress, malaria remains a major public health problem, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where an estimated one person dies of the disease every minute.

• In 2023, there were an estimated 263 million new malaria cases in 83 countries worldwide, up from 252 million in 2022 and 226 million in 2015.
• The global tally of malaria deaths reached 597 000 in 2023 compared to 578 000 in 2015.

Challenges

In many areas, challenges posed by extreme weather events, conflict and violence, and other global crises have disrupted malaria control efforts and threaten to reverse decades of achievements in global malaria control.

Funding gap

A substantial funding gap is further hindering the implementation of effective interventions and the development of new tools. In 2023 alone, total investments in malaria control reached US$ 4 billion, falling far short of the US$ 8.3 billion funding target of the WHO Global technical strategy for malaria 2016-2023.

Funding cuts

The 2025 U.S. funding cuts are compounding an already critical situation – particularly for national malaria programmes in Africa. By mid-March, countries were reporting major disruptions in the delivery of essential health services for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of many diseases, including malaria strategy

Successful replenishments

The successful replenishments of The Global Fund and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance in 2025 are critical to financing malaria programmes and interventions, and accelerating progress towards the malaria control and elimination targets set in the WHO global malaria strategy.

Increase funding for malaria elimination and control

Governments, donors, and the private sector must step up their financial commitments.

Support the full replenishment of the Global Fund and Gavi

ensure sustained resources for malaria programmes and interventions.

Boost domestic financing

ensure the long-term sustainability of malaria programmes through increased investment in malaria-affected countries.

Invest in proven interventions

prioritize investments in WHO-recommended tools such as insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, chemoprevention, malaria vaccines and artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs).

Build strong health systems

improve access to malaria prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services, especially for people most at risk

Drug resistance

Malaria parasites are developing resistance to antimalarial drugs, threatening the effectiveness of treatment.

Insecticide resistance

Mosquitoes are becoming resistant to insecticides, reducing the impact of primary vector control interventions.

Climate change

Climate change is altering mosquito habitats and transmission patterns, posing new challenges for malaria control.

Innovative strategies and tools

Innovative strategies and tools are needed to overcome these challenges and to accelerate progress towards elimination.

Use data-driven strategies to drive impact

tailor malaria interventions to local contexts through evidence-based, data-driven strategies.

Accelerate innovation

invest in research and development to discover new and more effective antimalarial drugs, diagnostics, insecticides, vaccines and vector control methods.

Unlock new funding solutions

explore and implement innovative financing mechanisms to bridge resource gaps for malaria control.

Turn research into action

foster collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and programme implementers to rapidly translate research findings into real-world impact.

Complacency and fatigue

can undermine efforts to control and eliminate malaria.

Political will and community engagement

are essential to sustain progress.

A renewed sense of urgency and commitment

is needed to accelerate the fight against malaria.

Join the Big Push to end malaria

Now is the time for the malaria community to unite and turn commitments into action. The Big Push against malaria is a multistakeholder effort to drive progress through 6 priority actions:

• Improve coordination between global, regional, and country partners
• Uphold national leadership and accountability while advancing an inclusive, whole-of-society approach
• Strengthen data systems and enable data-driven decision-making
• Increase the accessibility, acceptability and quality of existing interventions
• Develop and prepare for the rapid introduction of new, transformational tools
• Increase funding for malaria, building on a new narrative

The Big Push responds to country-driven initiatives such as the Yaoundé Declaration and the Lusaka Agenda.

Step up political and financial commitments

The RBM Partnership and WHO call for shared responsibility to protect the hard-won gains against malaria—especially in this time of global instability. Malaria-endemic countries must lead with strong political commitment and domestic investment, backed by sustained funding from their global partners.

Celebrate success, inspire action

The malaria community must celebrate its successes and share lessons learned to encourage everyone to take action to end malaria.

Strengthen community action

Equip people with the information and resources they need to prevent, detect, and treat malaria effectively.