2025
Global Malaria Elimination Conference
About GMEC
The Global Malaria Eradication Conference (GMEC) took place in June 2025 in Calgary, bringing together global leaders, innovators, and experts to discuss the state of malaria programs, explore future opportunities, and align on a shared vision for eradication, especially within the context of Rotarian efforts worldwide.
The conference featured presentations, panel discussions, and behind-the-scenes moments, with speakers contributing their input and participation throughout. Several organizations came together to make GMEC2025 a reality, sparking a lasting momentum toward building a strong Rotary malaria platform in the years ahead. A special thank you to our event partner, Rotarians Against Malaria -Global Rotary Action Group (RAM-Global), which is an international volunteer organization working to eradicate malaria.
Watch the GMEC Sessions
Malaria 101
The Malaria Puzzle: Understanding the Disease, Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Dive into Malaria 101, recorded live at GMEC2025. Dr. Stephanie Yanow (University of Alberta) and Dr. Linnie Gollightly (City University of New York) guide viewers through malaria’s history, current global status, biology, and the challenges to elimination.
Learn about the parasite’s life cycle, high-burden regions, vaccine breakthroughs, emerging threats like insecticide resistance and new mosquito species, and the global strategies needed to control and eventually eradicate malaria. This session also highlights the role of community engagement and how organizations like Rotary are mobilizing to end this preventable disease.
Malaria 201
Vector Control Revolution: Smarter Strategies for a Malaria-Free World
Malaria 201, recorded live at GMEC2025, builds on the foundation set in Malaria 101, exploring smarter strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and community-driven control on the path to a malaria-free world.
Dr. Marcy Erskine (Alliance for Malaria Prevention) examines the role of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) in a resource-constrained environment, addressing distribution trends, funding challenges, durability concerns, and the need for data-driven, targeted approaches.
Pranav Shrestha presents Octopi, an AI-powered automated microscopy platform that uses robotics, fluorescence microscopy, and machine learning to rapidly and accurately diagnose malaria, addressing longstanding limitations of RDTs and manual microscopy.
Axel von Bierbrauer shares insights from the Stop Malaria project in rural western Kenya, led by Rotarians from District 1860 in partnership with local Rotaractors and the Kenyan NGO Rafiki, highlighting the community-based strategies that have driven measurable reductions in malaria incidence and mortality since 2020.
Together, these sessions showcase how smarter tools, technology, and community partnerships are revolutionizing vector control and prevention in the fight to end malaria.
Malaria 301
Innovations: New Treatments, New Vaccines, Expanding Horizons Towards Zero Malaria
Get ready for Malaria 301. This session explores the innovations pushing the world closer to zero malaria, from genetically modified mosquitoes to next-generation vaccines and treatments.
Grey Frandsen (Oxitec) presents on genetically modified mosquitoes developed to combat Anopheles stephensi, an invasive malaria vector, including field trials underway in Djibouti.
George Jagoe (Medicines for Malaria Venture) examines why progress against malaria has stalled in recent years and the emerging tools, including long-acting drugs, monoclonal antibodies, and next-generation vaccines, that could reaccelerate it.
Sir Adrian Hill (Jenner Institute, University of Oxford) discusses the development of the R21 malaria vaccine and its role in accelerating elimination efforts. Jagoe and Hill close the session with an audience Q&A covering the future of malaria vaccines and the impact of U.S. global health funding on the fight to protect vulnerable populations. Together, these sessions highlight the science, partnerships, and funding decisions shaping the next phase of the fight to end malaria.
Malaria Partners International
Our Mission: To ignite an international Rotarian campaign to end malaria.
Malaria Partners International
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