Reflections from the 79^th United Nations General Assembly

The 79^th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) took place in New York recently, bringing together global leaders, policymakers, and international voices to discuss pressing issues dominating the world’s agenda at the moment.

I had the opportunity to attend UNGA with our client, the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, attending several of their side events and assisting with media coordination on the ground. While topics such as AI, food security, public health, and climate were present across all events at UNGA, most eyes were focused on the geopolitical crisis in the Middle East unfolding in real time. Amid this backdrop, the Assembly provided a crucial platform for global health discussions, including the often-overlooked yet urgent fight against malaria, a disease still affecting millions globally despite decades of progress.

From antimicrobial resistance to the transformative role of women and youth in leading innovative health interventions, the side-event sessions I attended highlighted that the fight against malaria requires not only cutting-edge solutions but also inclusive, diverse leadership and locally driven solutions. This year’s discussions underscored the urgent need for both innovation and equity in global health—a theme that resonated strongly across various panels and events.

Antimicrobial resistance and continued innovation

At UNGA, a High-Level Meeting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) took place, where a political declaration was approved, outlining a clear list of targets and actions for tackling antimicrobial resistance.

At an event hosted by the RBM Partnership to End Malaria and several of their partners, including the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative, centred around driving global action to support national response efforts to AMR, the Gates Foundation, Unitaid, U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative, and the Global Fund signed a joint statement, calling on donors and private-sector stakeholders to support malaria-endemic countries in the fight against AMR and to make existing treatments more accessible.

In a world increasingly defined by conflict and instability, the spread of AMR poses a quiet but dangerous threat. Weakened and overburdened health systems are especially vulnerable to the emergence of resistant strains of malaria. If AMR continues unchecked, the collapse of malaria treatments will ripple far beyond affected regions, threatening global health systems. Addressing AMR is not just a medical issue but a moral imperative, requiring global coordination and investment to prevent a resurgence of diseases like malaria in regions already under strain.

Gender inclusivity

Women’s voices are underrepresented at decision-makings level in global public health. This was highlighted in multiple sessions as something that must change. At a side event co-hosted by the RBM Partnership and WomenLift Health, leaders such as Philip Welkhoff, Director at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, discussed how elevating female leaders can accelerate the fight against malaria. As indispensable players in this fight, women serve as caregivers, health providers, and educators within their communities; they are trusted and well-accepted within households. This unique position gives them a comparative advantage in ensuring that health tools and resources are effectively utilised. Thus, investing in women not only improves health outcomes but also fosters broader community and national development.

Speakers aligned on a common belief: no public health programme can succeed without adopting a gender-intentional approach that not only involves women but empowers them. By elevating female leadership, we ensure that health solutions are inclusive and far-reaching, directly benefiting communities that are hardest hit by both conflict and disease.

The role of youth

One child under the age of five dies from malaria nearly every minute. Youth advocates, whether scientists, educators, or aspiring policymakers, are determined to change this statistic and not merely accept a world where a treatable and preventable disease takes such a devastating toll.

At the RBM Partnership’s own event, focused on fostering an intergenerational discussion between youth and older generations, several new practices, such as digital tools and partnerships between universities and prominent global health companies, were discussed. Despite recent advancements, a significant gap remains between the support youth currently have and the support they require to have a sizable impact in the fight against malaria. Key voices at the event called for closer cooperation between the private and public sectors to align on their youth engagement tactics, and better government support.

With global challenges like climate change, political unrest, and health crises escalating, the role of youth in driving innovation is more essential than ever. Young leaders bring new technologies, fresh perspectives, and a sense of urgency that is vital for sustaining momentum in health interventions. Their engagement in the fight against malaria is not only about tackling a disease but about shaping a future where innovative, cross-border solutions become the norm. One thing is clear: with nearly 800 million youth across Africa, it will be nearly impossible to defeat malaria if we leave these critical players out of our fight.

Reflections

As I reflect on my time at UNGA, it is clear that the global fight against malaria requires inclusive leadership and sustained innovation, driven by global organisations in tandem with local innovators, advocates, and healthcare professionals on the ground who fight this disease every day.

By far the heaviest malaria burden is in Africa, which accounts for over 94% of global cases and 95% of global deaths. However, large donor organisations make decisions and allocate funding largely to organisations outside of Africa. For example, only 3.5% of the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative funding goes directly to local organisations tackling malaria. As we move forward, it is essential that we continue to invest in both cutting-edge solutions and in the people—especially women and young leaders—who drive meaningful change on the ground.

Alissa Gray is a senior account executive on the Corporate team in the London office.

If you are interested in how Grayling might be able to support your health campaign, contact: Grayling’s Head of Health, Ross Laird, at ross.laird@grayling.com