In June 2021, a virtual workshop on ECAMM and NCAMM for malaria microscopists was held, with participants from ten South-East Asian countries in attendance. The workshop covered topics such as microscopy training and quality assurance, as well as the challenges posed by the pandemic, including assessment disruptions and limited national reference laboratory capacity. Key recommendations emphasised the importance of improving diagnostic quality, building national and peripheral microscopy capacity, providing regular refresher training and using digital tools to support malaria elimination efforts.