Health is everyone’s business, especially in countries like Papua New Guinea where national development depends heavily on human resources. A healthy population is important not only for social well-being but also for economic growth and national progress.
Combating malaria, a disease that continues to place immense strain on health systems and communities, thus is a national and regional priority, leading to the inaugural EDEN Initiative Regional Coordination Meeting opened in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea on 6 May.
This meeting stems from the Eliminating Malaria and Other Vector-Borne Diseases through Enhanced Regional Partnerships (EDEN) Initiative, a collaboration endorsed by health ministers from Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, and Vanuatu, during the 8th Asia Pacific Leaders’ Summit on Malaria Elimination in 2024.
Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Health, Hon. Elias Kapavore, hosted the meeting that brought together representatives from Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu to define shared priorities and accelerate efforts toward a malaria-free Central Indo-Pacific.
In the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions, 75% of malaria cases are concentrated in just five countries.
Kapavore said tackling malaria is one of the priorities of the Ministry of Health.
“Our country has one of the highest malaria rates in the Western Pacific, with nearly one million cases reported annually. Papua New Guinea remains committed to the EDEN Initiative,” the minister said.
“Alongside our partners and technical experts, we are laying the foundation for a collaborative effort that outlines our shared priorities and strategies. We are here not just to talk but to act.”
The EDEN Initiative aims to drive major advances in malaria elimination across the region, from Sabang in Indonesia to Tafea in Vanuatu, through large-scale, innovative solutions that would strengthen regional health security and unlock economic benefits for communities.
The meeting focused on the growing impact of climate change on malaria transmission. Shifts in temperature, rainfall, and extreme weather have accelerated parasitic and vector development, increased vector activity and bite rates, and expanded breeding sites.
The group concluded that the Central Indo-Pacific faces rising climate-induced risks that are altering transmission patterns and overwhelming health systems—putting more people in danger.
To reach a malaria-free Central Indo-Pacific, the EDEN Initiative is seeking funding for innovative projects that offer substantial progress but exceed domestic financing capabilities.
Representatives from the four countries endorsed four transformative approaches to advance this goal:
A subnational tailoring program will help PNG, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu implement context-specific, cost-effective strategies.
Building a strong regional network of laboratories and support systems will enhance diagnostics, surveillance, and rapid response.
A cross-border data-sharing platform will support early detection, coordinated responses, and better management of imported cases.
Scalable demonstration projects will be launched in selected high- and low-burden areas in each country. In high-burden areas, these projects will involve community health workers, larval source management, vector control, and improved surveillance to boost diagnosis and reduce parasite reservoirs. In low-endemic areas, the focus will be on sensitive surveillance, rapid containment, and preventing re-establishment. These pilots will generate best practices to guide broader national and regional efforts.
Health ministers from the five EDEN countries will advance the initiative further at the 9th Asia Pacific Leaders’ Summit on Malaria Elimination, set for 16-17 June in Indonesia.
