In the Central African Republic, the Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance: An Unprecedented National Commitment

09 December 2025, Bangui — Every day, in clinics and on farms across the Central African Republic (CAR), antimicrobial resistance silently advances. Treatments used to cure infections in children, adults and livestock are becoming progressively less effective. This is antimicrobial resistance (AMR), an insidious pandemic that is steadily undermining the effectiveness of essential medical treatments.

This year, however, the people of CAR took action. To address antimicrobial resistance, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with the Government, launched the country’s first awareness campaign, World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW), to inform the public about the responsible use of antibiotics. The campaign took place from 18 to 24 November 2025.

This historic effort was made possible through strong collective action and solid alliances. FAO and its Quadripartite partners (the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), stood alongside the World Bank and the Embassy of France through the Institut Pasteur. They joined forces with national sectoral ministries, but the real drivers of change were those on the ground: doctors, veterinarians, farmers, and the faculty and students of the University of Bangui who embraced the cause.

“This week was more than a campaign; it was a promise we made to ourselves and to future generations,” said Félicité Kongbo, a second-year student at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Bangui. “We set a nationwide movement in motion. Together, we must ensure that this initial spark becomes a guiding light for lasting change.”

Despite the challenges, hope remains strong. FAO and other stakeholders reaffirm their determination to support Government efforts to mitigate the consequences of antimicrobial resistance in the country.

“By working together, we can protect future generations and safeguard the effectiveness of antibiotics,” said Ms Labia Irène Ouoba, FAO Representative in the Central African Republic.

This historic first edition demonstrated to the world that the nation is not only aware of the issue, but it is ready to lead the response. FAO and its partners remain committed to supporting the country in strengthening surveillance, promoting responsible practices on farms and in clinics, and fully implementing its national action plan. A healthier and safer future for the Central African Republic is being built, one action at a time.