MALARIA PERDHAKI, Bali – The Government of Indonesia, in collaboration with the Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA), officially hosted the 9th Asia-Pacific Leaders Summit on Malaria Elimination on 16–17 June 2025 in Bali. The summit carried the theme “Unity in Action, Towards Zero Malaria”, the summit reinforced the collective commitment of countries in the region to end malaria by 2030.

This annual summit successfully brought together over 250 participants, including health ministers from countries such as Laos, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, and Vanuatu. Global health figures were also present, including Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala (WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific), Christopher Elias (President of Global Development at the Gates Foundation), Peter Sands (Executive Director of the Global Fund), among others. Their presence reflected a spirit of unity in the effort to end malaria in the Asia-Pacific region.

At the event, Indonesia officially launched the Indonesia’s Call to End Malaria Initiative (ICMI) as a new milestone in the national malaria elimination strategy. This initiative emphasizes the importance of government leadership and cross-sectoral coordination to accelerate malaria elimination, particularly in complex regions such as Papua. ICMI is designed to unite key ministries—including Health, Finance, Home Affairs, Planning, and Defense—alongside state-owned enterprises, NGOs, community leaders, and the private sector in a unified movement.

As part of these efforts, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, together with Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Ribka Haluk, led a high-level forum with governors from Papua. The forum resulted in Governors’ Commitment and supported the establishment of the Papua Malaria Consortium, a multisectoral collaboration platform aimed at accelerating malaria elimination in the most affected regions.

In addition, cross-border cooperation was strengthened through the Bilateral Joint Action Plan between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. This plan aims to synchronize the efforts of both countries in combating malaria based on the principles of equality and mutual benefit.

The first day of the summit featured technical sessions led by national and international experts, discussing the latest innovations and strategies in malaria control. Meanwhile, the second day focused on high-level dialogues to explore sustainable financing schemes through multinational initiatives such as EDEN (Ending Malaria and other Climate-Sensitive Vector Borne Diseases through Enhanced Regional Partnerships).

In his opening remarks, Minister of Health Budi stated, “Malaria is not just a health issue, but also a development issue. To truly eliminate malaria, we must involve all elements of the nation—government, communities, and the private sector. Through ICMI, we show that Indonesia is ready to lead and take concrete action.”

Meanwhile, former President of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, serving as a Special Advisor to APLMA and delivering the keynote speech, emphasized the importance of regional collaboration. “This is not just an ordinary meeting. It is a declaration of our shared commitment. We have the knowledge, the innovation, and the momentum to win—because every life saved is a victory for humanity.”

With only five years remaining until the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals deadline, this summit served as a critical moment to showcase progress and reaffirm the region’s commitment. The Government of Indonesia, APLMA, and all participants agreed on concrete steps to strengthen regional health resilience and realize a malaria-free Asia-Pacific.

Malaria Perdhaki Communications Officer Speaks at the Forum

Dr. Y. Ari Hermawan, Program Manager of the Malaria Program at Perdhaki, attended the 9th Asia-Pacific Leaders Summit on Malaria Elimination held in Bali on 16–17 June 2025. His presence, alongside the Malaria Perdhaki delegation, served as an important representation of civil society's role in malaria elimination efforts at the regional level. In a forum that brought together heads of state, health ministers, and global organizations, Dr. Ari had the opportunity to present Perdhaki’s concrete contributions to malaria control across remote and high-risk areas in Indonesia.

In his presentation, Dr. Ari highlighted both the achievements and field challenges encountered during the implementation of the program in partnership with the Global Fund. He emphasized the importance of community-based approaches, cross-sector partnerships, and strengthening the capacity of grassroots health workers as key to successful malaria interventions. Through its extensive network reaching deep into Eastern Indonesia, Perdhaki has become a strategic partner in accessing populations underserved by formal health services. Malaria Perdhaki’s active participation in this forum demonstrated that voices from the field are not only important, but also highly relevant in shaping regional policies and strategies toward malaria elimination by 2030.