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Singapore, 25 July 2025 – The Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA) celebrates Timor-Leste’s landmark achievement in officially attaining malaria-free certification from the World Health Organization (WHO). This historic milestone marks the end of a decade-long battle against a deadly disease and injects fresh momentum into Asia Pacific’s collective drive to eliminate malaria.
“Timor-Leste’s certification is a defining moment for the Asia Pacific region,” said Dr. Sarthak Das, Chief Executive Officer of APLMA. “With roughly 185,000 cases reported clinically nearly two decades ago in 2005, many would not have imagined that elimination was possible in Timor-Leste. This remarkable achievement for Timor-Leste demonstrates the power of thoughtful public health leadership, and sustained political and financial commitment to disease elimination. This success serves as both hope and inspiration for other nations in Asia Pacific working to end malaria.”
Timor-Leste now stands alongside Sri Lanka and China as one of the malaria-free nations among the 22 countries that APLMA supports in the Asia Pacific region. The country's journey to elimination is remarkable: since independence in 2002, Timor-Leste embarked on its malaria elimination strategies, moving from among the top ten countries with the highest malaria burden in Asia Pacific in 2010 – with more than 48,000 indigenous cases to recording zero cases since 2021.
This accomplishment is the outcome of strategic investments in robust surveillance systems, targeted vector control and strong cross-border cooperation. Timor-Leste’s success illustrates the transformative impact of partnerships, community engagement, and sustained action. These guiding principles also underpin the ongoing work of the Joint Task Force for Cross-border Collaboration between Indonesia and Timor-Leste launched in January 2025, which remains essential to prevent re-establishment and to inspire neighbouring nations on their own journeys towards elimination.
The Ministry of Health, together with numerous partners, including the Global Fund, WHO, and other key donors – has demonstrated unwavering dedication and collaborative efforts, which have been instrumental in this success.
As we mark Timor-Leste’s success, APLMA urges all nations in the region to redouble their commitment, accelerate proven strategies, and make bold investments in malaria. This breakthrough is not just a national victory but a timely call to action for the entire region to unite and consign malaria to history.
