The world remains off-track to achieving the SDG target of ending malaria by 2030. Malaria continues to impede progress on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, affecting most disadvantaged areas and population groups. The COVID-19 pandemic, heightened food insecurity and the cost-of-living crisis have exposed the fragilities of health systems and our abilities to scale recent successes in combatting infectious diseases.

Conventional malaria interventions are now faced with a system challenge. In most settings the root causes of malaria lay beyond the health sector’s reach – social and economic inequities; poor housing and living conditions; the climate crisis and environmental degradation; agricultural practices and water and waste management. Yet the global response to malaria has been traditionally rooted in the health sector,  with relatively less attention to addressing the key determinants of malaria outside of the health sector. Using data, case studies and practical tools, this Framework provides guidance for policy makers, programme managers and funders to adapt approaches to combatting malaria – from being solely a concern of the health sector, towards comprehensive, coordinated and multi-sectoral responses that harness integrated  action, commitment and expertise across key sectors.

This Action Framework is aligned with the UNDP Strategic Plan 2022-2025, the UNDP HIV and Health Strategy 2022-2025 and has been jointly developed by UNDP,  UN-Habitat and the Roll Back Malaria Partnership.