Global leaders have approved a political declaration at the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), committing to a clear set of targets and actions, including reducing the estimated 4.95 million human deaths associated with bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR) annually by 10 percent by 2030.
The declaration also calls for sustainable national financing and $100 million in catalytic funding, to help achieve a target of at least 60 percent of countries having funded national action plans on AMR by 2030. This goal is to be reached through, for example, diversifying funding sources and securing more contributors to the Antimicrobial Resistance Multi-Partner Trust Fund.
AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to medicines, leading to infections becoming difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.
The declaration emphasizes key aspects, including the importance of access to medicines, treatments and diagnostics, while calling for incentives and financing mechanisms to drive multisectoral health research, innovation and development in addressing AMR. A stronger, transparent partnership between the public and private sectors, as well as academia is critical.
The declaration also encourages countries to report quality surveillance data on antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial use by 2030, utilizing existing global systems such as the Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS), the Global Database for Antimicrobial Use in Animals (ANIMUSE) of WOAH, and the International FAO Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring (InFARM). It further calls for 95% of countries to annually report on the implementation of their AMR national action plans through the Tracking AMR Country Self-assessment Survey (TrACSS).
Global champions involved with the meeting included Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, AMR survivors, civil society and stakeholder organizations from around the world.
On human health, the declaration sets a more ambitious target that at least 70 percent of antibiotics used for human health globally should belong to the WHO Access group antibiotics with relatively minimal side effects and lower potential to cause AMR.
It also includes targets around infection prevention and control (IPC), such as 100 percent of countries having basic water, sanitation, hygiene and waste management services in all health care facilities and 90 percent of countries meeting all WHO’s minimum requirements for IPC programmes by 2030. There are also commitments on investments to facilitate equitable access to and appropriate use of antimicrobials, as well as on reporting surveillance data on antimicrobial use and AMR across sectors.
Acknowledging that AMR is a complex problem, the declaration recognizes the need for a multisectoral response combining human, agricultural, animal, and environmental sector-specific interventions.
“The intersectoral challenge of AMR demands a One Health systems approach that unites human, animal, plant, and environmental health, backed by robust and accountable global AMR governance. Sustainable, consistent and diversified financing is essential to support the clear priorities and measurable targets for decisive action, while recognizing local, national and regional contexts. We must ensure universal access to medicines, treatments, and diagnostics, while promoting preventive measures and investing in research, innovation, capacity building, and bold awareness initiatives. Our health depends on safe, nutritious food, and food security hinges on efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems. For nearly 80 years, FAO has been steadfast in its mission to secure safe, healthy foods for all. We fully support this declaration and remain committed to a collective action to eliminate AMR risks in agriculture and food systems,” said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu.
“Evidence is mounting that the environment plays a significant role in the development, spread and transmission of AMR, including transmission between humans, and animals to humans. And why if we’re to reduce the burden of AMR and its risks, the environment must be part of the solution. Today’s declaration recognises this need, and UNEP will continue to be at the forefront of efforts to reduce the burden of AMR on societies and tackle the triple planetary crisis,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP.
“In the century since Alexander Fleming stumbled across penicillin in a laboratory in London, antibiotics have become a mainstay of medicine, transforming once-deadly infections into treatable and curable conditions,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Antimicrobial resistance threatens to unwind that progress, making it without question one of the most pressing health challenges of our time. Today’s declaration includes vital commitments that, if translated into action, will help to track AMR, slow it down, expand access to antimicrobial medicines like antibiotics and spur the development of new ones.“
“Antimicrobials help animals and humans live longer and healthier lives, but many of these life-saving drugs are dangerously losing their efficacy, which has devastating impacts not only on human health, but also on livestock and the economy at large,” said WOAH Director General Dr Emmanuelle Soubeyran.
“Urgent action is needed and we welcome the numerous commitments made by countries through this political declaration. The prioritization of preventative measures against infectious diseases in animals is of paramount importance. That is why WOAH will continue to assist countries by developing standards and guidelines, assessing policy frameworks for antimicrobial prescription and supporting the implementation of biosecurity and vaccination programs on priority diseases that can help reduce the need for antimicrobials, among other measures.”