Accelerated efforts toward a malaria-free future

Paramaribo, Suriname - August 15, 2026 - Health authorities and senior representatives from Brazil, France (French Guiana), Guyana, and Suriname concluded the Subregional Meeting on Malaria Elimination in the Guiana Shield yesterday with a renewed commitment to strengthen collaboration and accelerate efforts toward a malaria-free future for the region.

Over two days, ministries of health, technical experts, development partners, and international organizations reviewed the malaria situation across the Guiana Shield and identified priority actions to address the persistent challenges of transmission, particularly among mining communities and Indigenous populations.

The meeting was officially opened by Her Excellency Dr. Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, President of the Republic of Suriname, who delivered the opening remarks, underscoring the importance of sustained political commitment and regional solidarity to accelerate malaria elimination across the Guiana Shield.

A highlight of the meeting was the participation of the Assistant Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr. Rhonda Sealey-Thomas, whose visit underscored the strategic importance of the Guiana Shield in achieving malaria elimination in the Americas. The presence of PAHO's senior leadership reaffirmed the organization's commitment to supporting countries through technical cooperation, innovation, and strengthened regional partnerships.

"By strengthening regional cooperation and expanding access to quality malaria services, we can build on this success and accelerate progress toward a malaria-free Guiana Shield, ensuring that no community is left behind," said Dr. Sealey-Thomas.

Participants exchanged experiences and lessons learned, including Suriname's achievement as the first country in the Amazon region certified malaria-free in 2025, and explored innovative approaches to strengthen malaria diagnosis, treatment, surveillance, and prevention among populations at highest risk. Discussions also focused on expanding access to quality diagnosis and treatment, addressing mining-related transmission, and strengthening cross-border surveillance and coordination.

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to enhanced cooperation among the countries of the Guiana Shield, including stronger coordination and the identification of key strategies for Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, as well as joint actions to accelerate progress toward malaria elimination. Delegations also reaffirmed the importance of maintaining high-level political commitment and multisectoral collaboration to sustain gains and address remaining challenges.

The outcomes of the meeting mark an important step forward in advancing the regional malaria elimination agenda and demonstrate the shared determination of countries and partners to work together to protect the health and well-being of communities across the Guiana Shield.