Global antimicrobial resistance forum launched to help tackle common threat to planetary health

Antimicrobials play a crucial role in preventing and treating infectious diseases in humans, animals and plants, but their misuse and overuse are the main drivers of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR is a multi-faceted global challenge known as a “silent pandemic”. It is considered one of the top ten global public health threats to humanity in the 21st century.  

Globally, an estimated 1.3 million people die each year directly due to bacterial  that are resistant to antimicrobial treatments. If no action is taken, this number could soar dramatically, leading to higher public health, economic and social costs and pushing more people into poverty, especially in low-income countries. It requires greater coordination, political leadership, interdisciplinary and multisectoral targeted actions by the whole of society to safeguard the health of the planet (humans, animals, plants and the environment). 

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), known as the Quadripartite, joined forces to launch the Antimicrobial Resistance Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Platform to ensure that the increasing threats and impacts of antimicrobial resistance are addressed globally. 

The new Antimicrobial Resistance Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Platform is an inclusive, voluntary and international forum that aims to bring together voices from all areas, sectors, geographies and perspectives within a holistic and system-wide One Health approach to promote a shared vision and drive actions to curb AMR. 

Stakeholders like civil society, research and academia, private sector, regional, intraregional, and international organisations, as well as governments and philanthropic organisations organised in clusters have a unique and unprecedented opportunity to address complex AMR-related issues in a concerted and collaborative manner by proposing, leading, and joining the Platform’s Action Groups responding to their interests and priorities.  

By joining the Partnership Platform, the stakeholders will be able to:

• Contribute to forging consensus among a broad range of public- and private-sector stakeholders to advocate for and generate concrete actions on AMR 
• Contribute to be part of and implement a shared global vision for tackling AMR through a One Health approach at all levels (local, country, regional and global) 
• Propose and lead actions to enhance the One Health response to AMR at all levels in areas of priority and common interest 
• Collectively raise awareness of the need to increase engagement and investment in tackling AMR through a One Health approach 
• Share and gain knowledge of the challenges and opportunities to address AMR and network among One Health sectors and stakeholders  

Apply for membership now and become part of a global movement for action against AMR! 

For more information on the Platform, visit the website and/or contact the Platform Coordinating team by email: [email protected].