COPEMA signs malaria elimination agreement with UNITE in Berlin

The Coalition of Parliamentarians to End Malaria in Africa (COPEMA) has formalized a strategic partnership with the UNITE network to accelerate the elimination of malaria through enhanced legislative action and sustainable health financing. The agreement, signed during the 2026 World Health Summit held in Berlin from October 10 to 13, establishes a framework for collaboration between African and international lawmakers to prioritize health investments and strengthen parliamentary accountability. This milestone marks a significant step in aligning continental health priorities with global legislative support systems.

Under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), both organizations committed to advocating for increased domestic resource mobilization to complement international aid. Members of COPEMA emphasized that while global support remains vital, consistent domestic funding is essential for the long-term sustainability of malaria control programmes. The partnership intends to leverage the legislative powers of parliamentarians to ensure that health priorities are integrated into national budgets and that government commitments to health are transparently tracked and fulfilled across the continent.

During the summit, African parliamentarians participated in various workshops and high-level sessions focused on the broader challenges of health system resilience and universal health coverage. The discussions highlighted the need for a unified legislative front to address malaria, which continues to pose a significant public health threat in many African nations. COPEMA members reaffirmed their commitment to utilizing their oversight functions to monitor the implementation of health policies and to advocate for laws that facilitate better health outcomes and sustain malaria control efforts for future generations.