For me this is an excellent moment to take stock of where we are in our efforts to Roll Back Malaria.

Two years ago I indicated to the Executive Board that, if elected as Director-General, I would like to see renewed efforts on reducing the burdens of malaria, particularly in Africa. I hoped that all the different elements of WHO’s Secretariat could work in harmony, helping some of the poorest communities in the world to benefit from fewer days ill with malaria, and lower death rates.

I wanted WHO to tackle malaria as a global health problem and a primary cause of poverty. I wanted to see WHO Country Representatives, Regional Offices, and Headquarters Departments united around strategies that represent the accumulated wisdom of their experience. I wanted to see those involved in research united with disease control specialists to promote evidence based actions. It seemed important that technical programme staff worked well with specialists in health system development: I hoped that public and private sector health interests would push similar goals, and approaches that reflects inter-sectoral action. For historical reasons, I had a soft spot for those who told me that environmental issues are central to malaria control.

Most of all, I wanted WHO to encourage the wider application of interventions that are effective in reducing suffering as a result of malaria. But I did not want WHO to try to do everything itself. I saw WHO’s role as one of supporting actions undertaken by others – by communities, by national governments, by non-governmental organizations, by Development Banks and by other parts of the UN family. I wanted to use WHO’s leadership role to reach out and work with others, so that together we could help societies roll back malaria.

We are 18 months down the road. As I sit with you today, I sense that many of my hopes are being fulfilled. You have set about co-ordinated working in a unique way. This is not a partnership held together by strong agreements and a rigid structure. This is not a governing body with a tight agenda and procedures. It’s a partnership that is based on a shared commitment and common approach.

For some, this loose structure is a bit discomfiting. I see it differently. I read, the other day, in the Journal "Foreign Policy" that the Roll Back Malaria partnership is an example of "the strength of weak ties". I was most reassured: what we are doing is recognised by others.

Our partnership has supported intense activity within communities, countries, research institutions, pharmaceutical companies and, of course, in WHO. It has made us aware that malaria is a development issue, not just a health issue. It has shown us the power of shared knowledge, particularly knowledge shared electronically. It has reminded us that a technical organization, like WHO, has an important role in international health, but only as part of a much larger movement in which so many others have a stake.

I have watched each of you taking forward your Roll Back Malaria efforts, whether national governments, development banks, NGOs working in complex emergencies, UNICEF, and the Multilateral Research Initiative on Malaria (MIM). Each of you is taking forward Roll Back Malaria in ways that reflect your priorities, your comparative advantage. In each setting though, you indicate a shared commitment and consistent values. You are also explicit in your respect for people whose lives are undermined by the ancient scourge of malaria.

I have also seen new ways of working in WHO – WHO supporting partnerships, WHO catalysing joint action, WHO building bridges, and WHO mobilising resources on behalf of others. This may be a result of Roll Back Malaria being a pathfinder, though I am conscious that these new ways of working are moving through international organizations more generally.

I am delighted that Minister Tim Menakaya of Nigeria is here. I know that he will be working with all of us to move forward plans for the African Summit on Roll Back Malaria in Abuja which is being hosted on 25 April. This will have an important impact on the political commitment to Roll Back Malaria in Africa.

Yesterday, I returned from the World Economic Forum in Davos. It was my tenth visit, and what struck me this time is that among this important group of people, health issues like AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, have joined economic issues, information technology and regional conflicts as the most important topics of our time.

We are gaining acceptance for the ideas that underpin our work: health interventions are central to development and progress.

Much has been done over the last two years. Over the next two days you will reflect on what you have achieved. My colleagues Ebrahim Samba, Hussein Gezairy and David Heymann, together with their staff, will want to hear from you about ways in which WHO can make a more effective contribution to the partnership. I shall work with you to ensure that the power and promise of your efforts are reflected in increased resources for communities to Roll Back Malaria. There is so much more to be done: Let us all do what we can to increase momentum during this vital decade.