April 23, 2025
As we mark World Malaria Day on Friday 25 April, I reflect on the immense progress made — and the critical work still ahead — in our fight against malaria. This year’s theme, “Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world,” resonates deeply with our mission at the Australian Centre of Research Excellence in Malaria Elimination (ACREME), where we’re committed to working with local partners to deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches to eliminate malaria, particularly in high-risk and underserved populations across the Asia-Pacific.
The numbers speak volumes (from the World Health Organization):
🔸 263 million new malaria cases globally in 2023
🔸 597,000 malaria deaths globally in 2023
We must increase funding, invest in proven interventions, build stronger health systems, promote community-led solutions and drive forward innovative tools and strategies to accelerate progress towards malaria elimination goals.
Malaria is not just a disease — it’s a challenge to health equity and regional development. Let World Malaria Day be a reminder: with collective action, scientific innovation, and political will, a malaria-free world is within reach.
Professor Freya Fowkes, Lead Investigator
