The changing picture of malaria worldwide needs to be viewed in the context of other developments before we can determine the directions to take to be able to provide the thrusts required in malaria vector control. As a result of population growth, increasing urbanization and continuing pressure on scarce natural resources, the epidemiology of malaria and its manifestation as a public health problem are undergoing profound modifications, indeed in several parts of the world. This picture is further complicated by the spread of resistance to pesticides in the vector and to drugs in Plasmodium falciparum. In the immediate future, these trends will continue. In addition, the appearance of suitable vaccines is a highly probable event to be taken into consideration. The WHO Global Strategy of Health For All by the Year 2000 aims at the improvement of levels of health through primary health care. Among other things, this implies a greater reliance on community involvement and on intersectoral collaboration for health. In this light, the major malaria problems in the year 2000 will be: (1) "hard core" endemic areas with inadequate infrastructure and poor socio-economic development; (2) resource development areas, in particular those under illegal or poor controlled exploitation; (3) expanding urban areas and (4) increased mobility of non-immunes, particularly if uncontrolled. In order to cope with these problems, thrusts are required towards the development of vector control strategies, covering the following fields: (1) tools for vector control integrated in primary health care, (2) new chemicals, (3) improved and new biologicals, (4) environmental management and the adoption of health safeguards in resource development projects and (5) manpower development.