The Multilateral Initiative on Malaria (MIM): a perspective from the first co-ordinator

If research against malaria is to have a major impact on health, then all available resources and expertise must be harnessed for maximal effect. Bringing together scientists, funding organisations and disease control experts, the Multilateral Initiative on Malaria (MIM) has made significant progress since its creation in 1997 in promoting and co-ordinating scientific research against malaria. Enhancing global collaboration, mobilizing resources, promoting capacity building in Africa and strengthening links between research and control are major emphases of MIM. The initiative primarily acts through drawing together diverse international research activities, setting well considered priorities, and promoting effective targeting of energies and funds. This article is a personal view on MIM contributed by the Wellcome Trust as the nominated co-ordinator during 1998 and part of 1999. It aims to set out the rationale for MIM, to explain the principles of its operation and to illustrate achievement during its first phase.