The European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party, convening in Barcelona, Catalonia on 19^th and 20^th November 2009:

Considering that:

-         Malaria is a devastating parasitic disease which is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, especially in developing countries;

-         It affects 40% of the world's population and threatens 3.3 billion people in 109 countries around the world;

-         Malaria currently affects the tropics and subtropics and is responsible each year for more than 300 million cases and at least one million deaths;

-         90% of malaria deaths occur in Africa south of the Sahara, mostly among young children and pregnant women;

-         Malaria is the leading cause of child mortality under 5 years in Africa, killing one African child every 30 seconds;

-         The pregnant woman and unborn child are particularly vulnerable to malaria, a major cause of perinatal mortality, low birth weight and maternal anemia;

-         Malaria accounts for 60% of cases of school absences in some countries in Sub-Saharan Africa;

-         Malaria costs poor countries an estimated USD 12 billion every year in Sub-Saharan Africa;

-         Malaria is a disease promulgated by poverty, and yet one that is preventable and treatable, and that thanks to preventive methods such as long lasting insecticide treated nets, indoor residual spraying and intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women can significantly reduce mortality and morbidity due to malaria;

-         The Global Malaria Action Plan developed by the Roll Back Malaria Partnership (RBM) has a comprehensive strategy for action and an integrated roadmap for donor countries, to eliminate malaria in the world;

-         The fight against malaria contributes to achieving 6 of the 8 Millennium Development Goals, namely reducing extreme poverty (MDG 1), achieving universal primary education (MDG 2), reducing child mortality (MDG 4), improving maternal health (MDG 5), combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases (MDG 6) and developing a global partnership for development (MDG 8) and ensuring access to affordable essential medicines;

-         Funding needed to fight against malaria is estimated at about USD 5.3 billion for 2009 and USD 6.2 billion for 2010;

-         European Donor countries reaffirmed that they are determined to honor and respect in full their international commitments in order to achieve the Health Millennium Development Goals, and particularly MDG 6 on combating malaria.

Calls for:

-         donor funding to be directed specifically at the proven reduction factors namely:

Ø  Increased access to long lasting insecticide nets; with the ultimate goal of achieving universal access;

Ø  Increased use of artemisin based combination therapies, through support and promotion of innovative financing mechanisms, such as the provision of Affordable Medicines Facility for malaria (AMFm);

Ø  Ensure the effectiveness of aid, by supporting the access of recipient countries to the technical expertise necessary to access funds available;

Ø  Improve health systems, services and health infrastructure, training and transfer of medical personnel for diagnosis, prevention and effective treatment of malaria.

-         Urgent action aiming to strengthen political support in order for European Donor countries to meet their financial commitments in terms of development assistance towards achieving the Health Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), especially MDG 4 to reduce child mortality, the MDG 5 to improve maternal health and MDG 6 on combating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other diseases, but also the MDGs related to poverty, primary education for all and a global partnership for development;

-         Increased support to international efforts aiming to eradicate malaria, such as the Roll Back Malaria Partnership and the Global Malaria Action Plan.

-         Increasing European Donor counties’ contributions to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria as well as other international innovative financing mechanisms;

-         Strengthening financial support for malaria research in order to enable further testing and research related to vaccines, malaria drugs and insecticides.