Take the AMR Pledge

It’s time to renew our yearly commitment to mitigate the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Last year’s AMR pledge drew many supporters both online and in coordinated activities leading up to World Antibiotic Awareness Week (WAAW) celebrations. 

This year’s WAAW will be observed from 13-19 November. People across the Asia-Pacific region are again invited to participate and join others who’ve already pledged to use antimicrobials more wisely. Anyone can participate by drafting his or her own pledge to prevent AMR and by uploading a selfie or photo holding a statement of your pledge on your preferred social media account. 

The timely activity is being promoted again this year with the UN General Assembly reiterating its call for member states to address the threat of AMR. In a recent address to the UN General Assembly, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Deputy-Director General Maria Helena Semedo urged member states to increase investments and surveillance to curb the misuse of antimicrobials in public health and agriculture. 

 AMR has become a major health issue and FAO is a leader in supporting the food and agriculture industries to minimize the impacts of AMR. FAO has drafted its action plan to implement the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance. 

 Please use the hashtags #AMRPledge and #UNFAO to let the world know that #AMR matters. We need to act now to save a precious resource like antibiotics. 

To pledge, visit: http://www.wpro.who.int/entity/drug_resistance/en/

To learn more about FAO’s work on AMR: http://www.fao.org/antimicrobial-resistance/en/ 

Following are sample statements that you can use, but you can come up with your own: 

· I’m a (state profession). I prudently use antimicrobials to protect my children. 

· I’m a (state profession). I practice good farm practices to stop antimicrobial resistance. 

· I’m a (state profession). I care for my children’s future, I support the regulation of antimicrobials. 

· I’m a (state profession). I only provide antibiotics/antimicrobials when necessary. 

· I’m a (state profession). I care for my children’s future and the environment and prudently use antimicrobials in livestock farming.