Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland Director-General World Health Organization

3rd Meeting of the Global Partnership to Roll Back Malaria
Geneva, 2-3 February
Notes for the Closing Remarks by the Director General

• It has been an inspiring meeting. There has been a strong focus on what happens in country, and that is right. Ministers of Health have made powerful contributions: they are taking the lead in the effort to Roll Back Malaria.
  
  
• Partners recognise that different countries have different needs. Where there is a sector-wide approach to health development, malaria should be given proper attention, and the health sector, together with other sectors, will act to minimise people's malaria risks.
  
  
• Where there is a serious weakness in the sector, malaria will be taken forward alongside other diseases of poverty. This calls for skilful work by partners within countries. WHO here to help, thank you for your confidence.
  
  
• Political commitment matters: the Abuja Summit is important. The Government of Nigeria has committed $1 million. WHO will do the same – $500 k from the RBM project and $500 k from other funds.
  
  
• Promising technical developments – with drugs being developed at lower cost, insecticide treated materials and diagnostics, together with new Medicines for Malaria ventures. These provide vital tools for rolling back malaria. We will help ensure their full application.
  
  
• It's time to scale up RBM action, to respond to country's requests for support. I'm counting on all of you to give the backing countries need for a sustained response to the malaria threat.
  
  
• The sign of a healthy partnership will be when another partner takes on the responsibility to organize and conduct the 4^th meeting of the Global Partnership. You have already accepted that challenge: we are grateful to the World Bank for their offer.