The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolutions 49/135 of 19 December 1994, 50/128 of 20 December 1995 and 55/284 of 7 September 2001 concerning the struggle against malaria in the developing countries, particularly in Africa,

Bearing in mind the relevant resolutions of the Economic and Social Council relating to the struggle against malaria and diarrhoeal diseases, in particular resolution 1998/36 of 30 July 1998,

Acknowledging that it is important and necessary for countries where malaria is endemic to adopt appropriate strategies to combat malaria, one of the most deadly of all tropical diseases, which annually causes at least one million deaths in Africa, where nine out of every ten cases of malaria occur,

Taking note of the declarations and decisions on health issues adopted by the Organization of African Unity, in particular the declaration and plan of action on the “Roll Back Malaria” initiative adopted at the Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity, held in Abuja on 24 and 25 April 2000, 1 as well as decision AHG/Dec.155 (XXXVI) concerning the implementation of that declaration and plan of action, adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity at its thirty- sixth ordinary session, held in Lomé from 10 to 12 July 2000, 2

Welcoming the establishment of the African Union in Durban, South Africa, on 9 July 2002, in accordance with the provisions of its Constitutive Act, and the adoption of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, 3

Acknowledging the efforts of the World Health Organization and other partners to fight malaria over the years, including the launching of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership in 1998,