At the UN General Assembly, world leaders have committed to taking a broad, coordinated approach to address the root causes of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across multiple sectors, especially human health, animal health and agriculture.
This is only the fourth time a health issue has been taken up by the UN General Assembly (the others were HIV, noncommunicable diseases, and Ebola). The high-level meeting was convened by the President of the 71st session of the UN General Assembly, H.E. Peter Thomson.
Countries reaffirmed their commitment to develop national action plans on AMR, based on the ‘Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance’ — the blueprint for tackling AMR developed in 2015 by WHO in coordination with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
Leaders recognised the need for stronger systems to monitor drug-resistant infections and the volume of antimicrobials used in humans, animals, and crops, as well as increased international cooperation and funding. They pledged to strengthen regulation of antimicrobials, improve knowledge and awareness, and promote best practices –as well as to foster innovative approaches using alternatives to antimicrobials and new technologies for diagnosis and vaccines.
Countries also called for better use of existing, cost-effective tools for preventing infections in humans and animals. These include immunisation, safe water and sanitation, good hygiene in hospitals, and animal husbandry. Putting in place systems to ensure more appropriate use of existing and new antibiotics is also essential. In addition, they highlighted market failures, and called for new incentives for investment in research and development of new, effective and affordable medicines, rapid diagnostic tests, and other important therapies to replace those that are losing their power. They stressed that affordability and access to existing and new antibiotics, vaccines and other medical tools should be a global priority and should take into account the needs of all countries.
“Antimicrobial resistance threatens the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and requires a global response,” Mr Thomson said. “Member States have agreed upon a strong political declaration that provides a good basis for the international community to move forward. No one country, sector or organisation can address this issue alone.”
“Antimicrobial resistance poses a fundamental threat to human health, development, and security. The commitments made must now be translated into swift, effective, lifesaving actions across the human, animal, and environmental health sectors. We are running out of time,” said Dr Margaret Chan, director-general of WHO.
