The Hon. Minister of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) Solomon Islands Dr. Paul Popora Bosawai, proudly represented the nation at the 9th Asia Pacific Leaders’ Summit on Malaria Elimination, held in Bali, Indonesia, on June 16-17, 2025. The Government of Indonesia, hosted the summit with the theme: “Unity in Action, Towards Zero Malaria,” brought together political leaders, health experts, and stakeholders to strengthen the collective commitment towards achieving malaria elimination across the Asia Pacific region by 2030. Accompanying the Minister to the Submit, Deputy Secretary Health Improvement Dr Nemia Bainivalu, Malaria and Vector-borne Director Mr. Albino Bobogare and National Vector-borne Medical Officer Dr. Zimlon Bosawai.
The Submit brought together over 250 participants across the region and beyond. These includes: Health Ministers from Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. Global health leaders – including Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala, World Health Organization Regional Director for the Western Pacific; Dr. Lucas De Toca, Ambassador for Global Health, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia; Christopher Elias, President of Global Development of the Gates Foundation; Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund; Simon Bland, CEO of Global Institute for Disease Elimination; and Dr. Michael Adekunle Charles, CEO of RBM Partnership to End Malaria – joined other senior government officials, national malaria program directors and technical experts, demonstrating a united front in the fight against malaria.
For the Solomon Islands, this summit held particular significance as the nation currently faces the highest malaria prevalence in the Asia Pacific region, with its Annual Parasite Incidence per 1,000 population surging from 30 in 2014 to 185.8 in 2023. In his compelling address, the Hon. Minister Dr. Bosawai stressed, “The escalating malaria burden in the Solomon Islands demands urgent and concerted action. We are committed to working closely with our regional and global partners to implement robust strategies that protect our communities and accelerate our journey towards elimination.”
The summit placed strong emphasis on innovative strategies to strengthen health systems and mobilize equitable resources, ensuring a unified approach to tackling malaria across Asia Pacific. The first day featured technical sessions with national and international experts, focusing on the latest evidence, innovations and strategies for malaria control and elimination. On the second day, high-level ministerial dialogues were held to explore opportunities for co-financing and developing sustainable multi-source financing solutions for elimination initiatives including the EDEN Initiative (Ending Malaria and other Climate-Sensitive Vector Borne Diseases through Enhanced Regional Partnerships).
Hon. Minister Dr Bosawai also had a side meeting with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) regarding the potential of securing the “Ending Climate-Vulnerable Infectious and Tropical Diseases (ExCITD)” Climate Fund. The ExCITD financing for EDEN aims to provide substantial resources tailored to complex, regional health initiatives. This will enable countries to develop robust, climate-aware health systems capable of effectively preventing, detecting, and responding to infectious diseases.
Meanwhile, a way forward is renewed efforts from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services aim to revitalize the malaria program and strengthen the broader health system, especially in rural areas where access to care remains limited. The Solomon Islands government plans to prioritize the revision of the malaria elimination roadmap (developed in 2018) at the constituency level, with clear targeted elimination milestones and an implementation plan that outlines necessary resources and a monitoring plan to track progress.
Ends//
[MHMS]
