Global leaders at the UNGA have committed to ambitious targets to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), endorsing a political declaration aimed at reducing AMR-related deaths and improving health infrastructure. The initiative, backed by key organizations including the FAO, emphasizes the need for coordinated global efforts and sustainable funding mechanisms.
At the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in New York, global leaders committed to combating the escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance. They endorsed a political declaration aimed at setting ambitious targets and action plans to mitigate this critical health challenge, which poses significant risks to both human and animal health.
The initiative is supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which plays a pivotal role in addressing food security and agricultural sustainability worldwide. 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—has emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to effectively manage AMR.
One of the key objectives outlined in the declaration is to reduce the estimated 4.95 million annual deaths associated with AMR by 10% by 2030. This ambitious goal reflects a commitment to both national and international efforts to tackle the growing challenges posed by antimicrobial resistance.
A cornerstone of the declaration is the establishment of sustainable national financing mechanisms, with a proposed $100 million in catalytic funding to ensure that at least 60% of countries will have fully funded national action plans on AMR by 2030. This funding will be sourced from diversified contributions to the Antimicrobial Resistance Multi-Partner Trust Fund.
The declaration also sets forth critical targets for antibiotic use and improving global health infrastructure. By 2030, it aims for at least 70% of antibiotics used in human health globally to belong to the WHO Access group, which is characterized by minimal side effects and a lower potential for promoting AMR. Moreover, the declaration stresses the importance of ensuring that all healthcare facilities are equipped with basic water, sanitation, and hygiene services, and that 90% of countries adhere to WHO’s infection prevention and control (IPC) standards by the same year.
In the realm of agriculture and animal health, significant reductions in antimicrobial use in agri-food systems are mandated, supported by preventive measures such as enhanced biosecurity, vaccination strategies, and improved husbandry practices. The environmental impact of AMR is also a focal point, with research and initiatives aimed at preventing the discharge of antimicrobials into ecosystems being identified as essential components of the global response.
The Quadripartite will lead the implementation of the declaration through the establishment of a Joint Secretariat on AMR, which will coordinate global efforts and monitor progress. The Global Action Plan (GAP) on Antimicrobial Resistance will be updated by 2026 to ensure the continuity of this multisectoral response, with an independent evidence panel set to be established by 2025 to assist countries in addressing AMR effectively.
FAO Director-General QU Dongyu highlighted the critical nature of this collective action, stating, “Our health depends on safe, nutritious food, and food security hinges on efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agri-food systems.” UNEP’s Executive Director, Inger Andersen, and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also underscored the importance of addressing the environmental aspects of AMR and safeguarding the effectiveness of antibiotics, respectively.
This political declaration marks a significant step forward in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance, laying the groundwork for a coordinated, well-funded, and multisectoral approach to one of the most pressing health challenges facing the world today.
