After two rewarding years with the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, I am leaving my position at the end of this year. The decision to move onto the next chapter of my career did not come easily to me. I am deeply grateful for all the support I have received both professionally and personally from all RBM Partners and extremely proud of what we have collectively accomplished over the past two years, revitalising the RBM Partnership and building a strong professional team to carry on the critical work ahead. 

Until the new RBM CEO is on board, the RBM Partnership will be ably led by the incoming Executive Board Chair, Prof. Maha Barakat, Health Advisor to the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, who will serve as an interim CEO. Under her leadership, the Secretariat will continue working with you on our key initiatives: 

• High Burden to High Impact Response – to employ a more comprehensive and targeted approach to put the countries with the highest burden of malaria back on track to achieving their mortality and morbidity targets;

• Zero Malaria Starts with Me campaign endorsed by all African Union leaders at the July 2018 Summit – to raise the profile of malaria at all levels;

• Establishment of All-Party Parliamentary Groups on Malaria and national End Malaria Councils – to support sustained high-level advocacy within countries; and

• Multisectoral Investment Cases for Malaria – to increase domestic resource mobilisation from government bodies and the private sector.

I am convinced that your continued advocacy and support for these RBM initiatives will be crucial for raising the profile of malaria within the political and developmental agenda, and mobilising resources that will be needed to realise our collective ambition to end malaria for good. I have been honoured to serve this noble cause and to lead this incredible Partnership. As I leave RBM in the good hands of the dedicated Board and capable Secretariat, I remain a committed advocate for malaria elimination and humbly ask for your continued cooperation and partnership.

I also take this opportunity to wish you all a peaceful, prosperous and healthy New Year 2019!

Thank you,

Dr Kesete Admasu