Faced with the threat of malaria, mobilization continues: our call to France to achieve a malaria-free world

Press release, Paris, April 25, 2025: As progress against malaria stalls, France reaffirms its historic commitment to global health at a high-level event organized this Friday, April 25, in Paris by the Team Zero Malaria, composed of the associations Friends of the Global Fund Europe, Local Elected Officials Against Malaria, and Esprit d’Ebène.

The latest World Malaria Report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) rings the alarm: after decades of progress, the fight against the disease is stalling. In 2023, 263 million cases were recorded, causing nearly 600,000 deaths, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa. Fragility of health systems, humanitarian crises, climate change, mosquito resistance to insecticides and insufficient access to prevention tools are undermining the progress made since the beginning of the century.

“Africa remains the epicenter of the global malaria burden. Faced with fragile health systems, recurring humanitarian crises, and climate change, our mission is clear: to support governments and communities in their redoubled efforts to control and even eliminate malaria. In doing so, we will collectively contribute to building a healthier, more stable, and more prosperous world for all” said Caty Fall Sow, Head of the Africa and Middle East Department at the Global Fund.

Despite this worrying situation, new solutions are emerging: new-generation mosquito nets and two recently deployed vaccines are showing encouraging results when integrated into combination control strategies. These innovations are supported by international partnerships, such as those of the Global Fund with Gavi and Unitaid, to reach the most vulnerable populations.

France, the second-largest donor to the Global Fund and the largest European contributor, plays a central role in global health. From the Fund’s creation in 2001 to hosting the 6^th Replenishment Conference in Lyon in 2019, its commitment has always been driven by strategic, political, and solidarity. In 2022, France renewed its commitment to the Global Fund by increasing its contribution by 23%.

« In this pivotal year, France can and must continue to make its voice heard for inclusive and ambitious global health. The Global Fund alone provides 59% of international financing for the fight against malaria. It is a unique instrument of solidarity and health justice. It is urgent to give it the means to achieve its ambitions » said Hélène Berger, Director of Friends of the Global Fund Europe.

As 2025 will see the 8^th Replenishment conference, the April 25 event stands out as a key moment of mobilization in France. Organized by the Team Zero Malaria, composed of the Friends of the Global Fund Europe, Esprit d’Ébène, and Local Officials Against Malaria, this event aims to raise awareness of the persistent challenges posed by malaria, reaffirm France’s crucial role in global health, call for an ambitious contribution to the Global Fund replenishment, and highlight recent innovations and the complementarity of multilateral health actors.

The richness of the discussions during the event was enhanced by a round table bringing together personalities involved in the fight against malaria. and brought together Dieynaba Diop, Member of Parliament and Vice-President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie, Caty Fall Sow of the Global Fund, Professor Pierre Buffet of the Pasteur Institute, Maelle Ba, Communications and External Relations Advisor at Speak Up Africa and Co-Chair of the Advocacy, Communications and Resource Mobilization Partners Group of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, Eric Fleutelot, Technical Director of Expertise France and Erick Maville, Founder of Santé en entreprise (SEE) and member of the CIAN. Moderated by Hélène Berger, these discussions highlighted the importance of collective work between public institutions, scientists, civil society and the private sector to respond to the complex challenges of the disease.

« Citizen and multi-sectoral mobilization is essential to ending malaria. Through Team Zero Malaria, we bring together artists, elected officials, healthcare professionals, malaria survivors, and young people to demonstrate that inequality in the face of the disease is not inevitable. Change will also come from civil society, » concluded Mams Yaffa, Founder of Esprit d’Ébène.

The event concluded with the presentation of diplomas to the Team Zero Malaria Ambassadors by Anne-Claire Amprou, French Ambassador for Global Health. This symbolic recognition recognized the exemplary commitment of political figures and figures from the fields of sport, culture, and civil society, such as Mohamed Gnabaly, Eric Lejoindre, Mustapha Berraf, Sofyane Mehiaoui, Diana Gandéga, Fatoumata Sankharé, Koumba Larroque, as well as the Bondy Blind Football teams and the French national team. The music video « Objectif Zéro Palu », featuring committed artists such as Oxmo Puccino, Guimba Kouyaté, Nix, Lvst Lvss, Amira Abed and Fatoumata Diawara, was also screened to celebrate this collective mobilization; it can be viewed here.