The 2016 APMEN Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held in Bangkok, Thailand, in conjunction with the first Asia Pacific Joint Malaria Week.

The APMEN AGM drew 85 participants representing 12 of the 18 APMEN Partner Countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Viet Nam), as well as having four Observer Countries (Afghanistan, Myanmar, Pakistan, Timor Leste) in attendance. In addition, 18 of APMEN’s 37 Partner Institutions were represented, along with active participation from donors and other observers.

The overarching objective of the AGM was to achieve consensus on the future role and strategic direction of APMEN, within the changing context of malaria elimination in the Asia Pacific. The agenda included a review of APMEN’s past and present achievements and challenges (Sessions 1 & 2), and a prioritization activity to identify future focus areas for APMEN (Session 3). A Country Partner consultation was also held to assess the identified priority areas where APMEN might best support malaria programme managers in achieving their priority actions.

Program

• Official Opening of Meeting
• Session   1: The Changing Landscape of Malaria Elimination in the Asia Pacific
• Session 1.1: Reflection: overview of the role of APMEN in elimination
• Session 1.2: Perspectives and priorities within APMEN themes
  • Surveillance & Response Working Group
  • Vivax Working Group
  • Vector Control Working Group
• Session 1.3: The evolution of APMEN
• Session   2: APMEN in the context of new regional commitments to elimination
• Session  2.1: United efforts for elimination:regional cooperation to progress the APLMA Roadmap
• Session  2.2:: Re-envisioning APMEN’s role in a new context: where to from here?
• Session   3: Future directions for the APMEN Network
  • Facilitated group work: Reassessing the Network’s programmatic and operational priorities (Workshop with break out groups on APMEN strategic themes)
  • Report back and discussion
• Closing Remarks 
• APMEN Country Partner Consultation Meeting