Collective effort to address a challenge to health, food security, and development

Figure: A poultry operation in Egypt. Good hygiene on farms can help stem the rise of AMR due to over-reliance on antimicrobials.

OPGA / WHO / FAO / OIE Joint News Release

FAO 21 September 2016, New York - World leaders today signalled an unprecedented level of attention to curb the spread of infections that are resistant to antimicrobial medicines.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) happens when bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi develop resistance against medicines that were previously able to cure them.

For the first time, Heads of State committed to taking a broad, coordinated approach to address the root causes of 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.

"Antimicrobial resistance threatens the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and requires a global response," Mr. Thomson said. "Member States have today agreed upon a strong political declaration that provides a good basis for the international community to move forward. No one country, sector or organization can address this issue alone."  

See more: http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/434147/icode/