Global Leaders Commit to Ambitious Targets in Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance at UNGA
Source: DairyNews.today
At the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), global leaders have endorsed a political declaration, setting clear objectives and action plans to tackle the growing issue of AMR.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the declaration includes a target to reduce the 4.95 million annual deaths associated with AMR by 10% by 2030. The initiative reflects a commitment to both national and international measures aimed at addressing the escalating risks posed by antimicrobial resistance.
A cornerstone of the declaration is the establishment of sustainable national financing mechanisms, with a proposed US$100 million in catalytic funding to ensure that by 2030, at least 60% of countries will have fully funded national action plans on AMR. This will be achieved through diversified funding sources and increased contributions to the Antimicrobial Resistance Multi-Partner Trust Fund.
The FAO, alongside the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)—collectively known as the Quadripartite—strongly support the declaration. The document emphasizes the need for a unified global, regional, and national response to AMR using a One Health approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. This integrated perspective is crucial for effectively addressing the complex challenges posed by antimicrobial resistance.
The declaration also sets ambitious targets for reducing antibiotic use and improving global health infrastructure. By 2030, at least 70% of antibiotics used globally in human health should belong to the WHO Access group, known for minimal side effects and lower AMR potential. Furthermore, the declaration includes commitments to ensure that all healthcare facilities have basic water, sanitation, and hygiene services, and that 90% of countries meet WHO’s infection prevention and control (IPC) standards by the same year.
In agriculture and animal health, the declaration calls for a significant reduction in antimicrobial use in agri-food systems, backed by preventive measures such as enhanced biosecurity, vaccination strategies, and improved husbandry practices. This effort will align with the FAO’s RENOFARM initiative and WOAH’s priority disease list.
Environmental measures are also emphasized, particularly in preventing antimicrobial discharge into ecosystems. Research into the environmental impact of AMR and actions to mitigate antimicrobial pollution are considered key components of the global response.
The Quadripartite will lead the implementation of the declaration through the formalization of a Joint Secretariat on AMR, which will coordinate global efforts and monitor progress. The update of the Global Action Plan (GAP) on Antimicrobial Resistance by 2026 will ensure the continuity of this multisectoral response. Additionally, the declaration calls for the establishment of an independent evidence panel by 2025 to support countries in tackling AMR.
In terms of governance, the declaration recognizes the contributions of the Global Leaders Group and the AMR Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Platform, and commits to strengthening these mechanisms to enhance the exchange of best practices and the assessment of national action plans.
FAO Director-General QU Dongyu underscored the importance of this collective action: "Our health depends on safe, nutritious food, and food security hinges on efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems. FAO remains committed to eliminating AMR risks in agriculture and food systems."
UNEP’s Executive Director, Inger Andersen, highlighted the environmental aspect, noting that the environment plays a critical role in the transmission of AMR, and addressing this will be vital to reducing its impact on societies.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the historic importance of antibiotics and the need to safeguard their future utility: "Antimicrobial resistance threatens to undo decades of medical progress. This declaration’s commitments, if acted upon, will be crucial in tracking, managing, and reducing AMR."
The political declaration is a landmark step in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance, setting the stage for a coordinated, well-funded, and multisectoral effort to mitigate one of the most pressing health challenges of our time.
A cornerstone of the declaration is the establishment of sustainable national financing mechanisms, with a proposed US$100 million in catalytic funding to ensure that by 2030, at least 60% of countries will have fully funded national action plans on AMR. This will be achieved through diversified funding sources and increased contributions to the Antimicrobial Resistance Multi-Partner Trust Fund.
The FAO, alongside the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)—collectively known as the Quadripartite—strongly support the declaration. The document emphasizes the need for a unified global, regional, and national response to AMR using a One Health approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. This integrated perspective is crucial for effectively addressing the complex challenges posed by antimicrobial resistance.
The declaration also sets ambitious targets for reducing antibiotic use and improving global health infrastructure. By 2030, at least 70% of antibiotics used globally in human health should belong to the WHO Access group, known for minimal side effects and lower AMR potential. Furthermore, the declaration includes commitments to ensure that all healthcare facilities have basic water, sanitation, and hygiene services, and that 90% of countries meet WHO’s infection prevention and control (IPC) standards by the same year.
In agriculture and animal health, the declaration calls for a significant reduction in antimicrobial use in agri-food systems, backed by preventive measures such as enhanced biosecurity, vaccination strategies, and improved husbandry practices. This effort will align with the FAO’s RENOFARM initiative and WOAH’s priority disease list.
Environmental measures are also emphasized, particularly in preventing antimicrobial discharge into ecosystems. Research into the environmental impact of AMR and actions to mitigate antimicrobial pollution are considered key components of the global response.
The Quadripartite will lead the implementation of the declaration through the formalization of a Joint Secretariat on AMR, which will coordinate global efforts and monitor progress. The update of the Global Action Plan (GAP) on Antimicrobial Resistance by 2026 will ensure the continuity of this multisectoral response. Additionally, the declaration calls for the establishment of an independent evidence panel by 2025 to support countries in tackling AMR.
In terms of governance, the declaration recognizes the contributions of the Global Leaders Group and the AMR Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Platform, and commits to strengthening these mechanisms to enhance the exchange of best practices and the assessment of national action plans.
FAO Director-General QU Dongyu underscored the importance of this collective action: "Our health depends on safe, nutritious food, and food security hinges on efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems. FAO remains committed to eliminating AMR risks in agriculture and food systems."
UNEP’s Executive Director, Inger Andersen, highlighted the environmental aspect, noting that the environment plays a critical role in the transmission of AMR, and addressing this will be vital to reducing its impact on societies.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the historic importance of antibiotics and the need to safeguard their future utility: "Antimicrobial resistance threatens to undo decades of medical progress. This declaration’s commitments, if acted upon, will be crucial in tracking, managing, and reducing AMR."
The political declaration is a landmark step in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance, setting the stage for a coordinated, well-funded, and multisectoral effort to mitigate one of the most pressing health challenges of our time.