MEDIA ADVISORY
Malaria at the Crossroads: high-level briefing at the sidelines of the African Union Summit
Event on Friday, 26 January co-hosted by the African Union Commission and RBM Partnership to End Malaria includes senior officials from Ethiopia, Namibia, Rwanda, Senegal, Swaziland and Zambia
Malaria efforts in Africa are at the crossroads. While some countries have seen a greater than 20% increase in malaria cases and deaths since 2016, others are showing that beating malaria is possible. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) World Malaria Report 2017, just 15 countries carried the heaviest malaria burden, together accounting for 80% of all malaria cases and deaths. All but one were in Africa. Held in conjunction with the African Union Summit, this high-level briefing seeks to create a watershed moment in global, regional and national efforts to end malaria on the African continent. It will explore a renewed and strengthened commitment to malaria elimination among African Union member States in 2018.

What: “Malaria at the Crossroads: high-level briefing luncheon at the sidelines of the 30th session of the African Union Summit”

Media opportunity: This event is open to the press pending the necessary credentials.

When: Friday, 26 January 2018 from 12:00 to 14:00

Where: Multipurpose Hall, New Conference Centre, African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Who: African Union Commission and RBM Partnership to End Malaria

Speakers include: H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission
Dr. Kebede Worku, State Minister of Health, Ethiopia
H.E. Ambassador Claver Gatete, Minister of Finance, Rwanda
H.E. Chief Mgwagwa Gamedze, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Swaziland
H.E. Dr. Chitalu Chilufya, Minister of Health, Zambia
Dr Richard Kamwi, Ambassador, Elimination 8 Ministerial Initiative
Dr Pedro Alonso, Director, Global Malaria Programme, WHO
Dr Kesete Admasu, CEO, RBM Partnership to End Malaria

Contact: Mr Tawanda Chisango, African Union Commission, chisangot@africa-union.org or +251 96 692 4099
Ms Xenya Scanlon, RBM Partnership to End Malaria, xenya.scanlon@rollbackmalaria.com or +41 79 520 3637