DILI, 26 May 2026 (TATOLI) — Timor-Leste officially received the World Health Organization (WHO) certificate recognizing the country as malaria-free on May 19, 2026, in Geneva, Switzerland, during the 79th World Health Assembly. The certificate was presented by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to Vice Minister of Health José dos Reis Magno.
The formal presentation follows WHO’s announcement on 24 July 2025 that Timor-Leste had been certified malaria-free after more than two decades of national efforts to eliminate one of the world’s deadliest and most persistent tropical diseases.
In his opening address at the World Health Assembly, Tedros highlighted Timor-Leste among countries internationally recognized for progress in eliminating infectious diseases.
The WHO certification confirms that Timor-Leste successfully interrupted indigenous malaria transmission for at least three consecutive years, meeting the organization’s technical criteria for malaria elimination.
Malaria had long been one of Timor-Leste’s most serious public health challenges. The recognition formally marked at the World Health Assembly reflects years of work led by the government through the Ministry of Health, in partnership with WHO, international development partners, health professionals and local communities across the country.
Following WHO’s official recognition last year, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão said: “This victory belongs to our tireless health workers and to every family that embraced prevention. For more than 20 years, we fought village by village, family by family. It proves that even the deadliest diseases cannot withstand the determination of the Timorese people.”
Health Minister Élia António de Araújo dos Reis Amaral also underscored the significance of the achievement, saying “the elimination of malaria honors every life lost and every life now protected,” adding that the country must now safeguard the achievement “through continuous surveillance and community action.”
WHO recognition was preceded by several evaluation missions conducted between 2023 and 2025, which confirmed the absence of local malaria transmission and the strength of Timor-Leste’s national epidemiological surveillance system.
During the World Health Assembly, Timor-Leste’s delegation also joined WHO’s “Walk the Talk” initiative, which promotes healthy lifestyles and health for all.
Held from 18 to 23 May 2026, the World Health Assembly is WHO’s highest decision-making body and brings together member states each year to set global health priorities and policies.
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