A regional meeting was held from 14–16 July 2025 at the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean in Cairo, bringing together health experts from MENA countries in collaboration with the Global Institute for Disease Elimination (GLIDE). The focus was on preventing the reestablishment of malaria transmission in countries that have already eliminated the disease.

While most MENA countries are malaria-free (except Yemen), factors like climate change, population movement, and proximity to endemic regions pose ongoing risks. The meeting aimed to:

• Reinforce cross-border cooperation
• Strengthen surveillance systems
• Align regional efforts with the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria (2016–2030)

Key outcomes include:

• Launch of a regional malaria database compiling over 100 years of data
• Introduction of new WHO guidelines for preventing malaria resurgence
• Development of country-specific malaria profiles and action plans
• Establishment of a regional coordination network

The initiative emphasizes data-driven, collaborative public health strategies, with a focus on making data accessible to support evidence-based decision-making and sustain malaria elimination across the region.

WHO