On the occasion of World Malaria Day, Swiss parliamentarians¹ and members of the Swiss Malaria Group² gathered in Bern's Federal square to sign the Bern Malaria Declaration, pledging their commitment to work collaboratively to defeat malaria.

Commenting on the recent decision of the financial committee of the National Council to reduce official development assistance to 0.4% of the Gross National Income (GNI), the Declaration urges Switzerland to continue to work towards a reduction of global disease and poverty. Swiss investments in malaria projects in endemic countries have demonstrated a significant impact. Sustained progress in this area will help reduce the burden of malaria and associated poverty even further. The parliamentarians and the Swiss Malaria Group are urging the Swiss government to strengthen its support to malaria within the framework of increased official development assistance.

“The fight against malaria is a fight against poverty and, therefore, a worthwhile investment for the international community, including Switzerland”, said Isabelle Chevalley. “By signing the Bern Declaration on Malaria, we, members of the Parliamentary Group on Global Health, join with members of the Swiss Malaria Group to call for a reinvigorated effort against malaria and to support universal healthcare, as outlined by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

"Being from Bern makes me proud to welcome everybody in Bern, the Capital of this year’s World Malaria Day. Being Swiss makes me proud that our country has taken on a leadership role in reducing malaria, aligned with the decided global goals, 90% until 2030.” said President of the National Council, Christa Markwalder.

WHO Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan opened the World Malaria Day symposium, by video message and expressed her thanks for Switzerland’s engagement in the fight against malaria. 

1. President of the National Council, Christa Markwalder; President of the State Council, Raphaël Comte and members of the National Parliament: Isabelle Chevalley (Green Liberal Party); Marina Carrobbio (Social Democratic Party); Yvonne Feri (Social Democratic Party) and Rosemarie Quadranti (Civic Democratic Party).

2. Biovision, Centre hospitalier universitaire vaudois, Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics, Medicines for Malaria Venture, Medicus Mundi Switzerland, Novartis, Novartis Stiftung für Nachhaltige Entwicklung, SolidarMed, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Swiss red cross, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Syngenta