The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) welcomes the adoption of the second Political Declaration on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) at the United Nations General Assembly’s High-Level Meeting, held on the 26 September in New York. The declaration reaffirms the urgent need for coordinated global action to address AMR, recognizing the vital role of agrifood systems in this effort. 

AMR poses a severe threat to public health, food security, food safety and the livelihoods of millions worldwide. The Political Declaration acknowledges the interconnectedness of human, animal, plant, and environmental health, emphasizing that a One Health approachis needed to tackle this crisis. It also highlights the need for sustainable solutions across all sectors, including agriculture and food production, to preserve the effectiveness of antimicrobials for future generations. 

“The intersectoral challenge of AMR demands a One Health systems approach that unites human, animal, plant, and environmental health,” said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu. “Our health depends on safe, nutritious food, and food security hinges on healthy, sustainable, resilient, and inclusive agrifood systems. FAO fully supports this declaration and remainscommitted to a multisectoral, multi-stakeholder approach to eliminate AMR risks in agrifood systems.” 

The declaration specifically acknowledges FAO’s efforts in driving initiatives that promote responsible antimicrobial use in agriculture, improve AMR surveillance, and support capacity building for farmers and stakeholders. 

 Through the recently launched Reduce the Need for Antimicrobials on Farms for Sustainable Livestock Transformation (RENOFARM) initiative, FAO contributes towards countries' agrifood systems transformation by providing comprehensive support in implementing good production practices that lead to a reduced need for antimicrobials and a prudent and responsible use when antimicrobials are needed.“RENOFARM aims to promote resilient and environmentally sustainable farming practices that minimize reliance on antimicrobials,” said Thanawat Tiensin, FAO Assistant Director-General, Director of Animal Production and Health Division. “This initiative is vital in transforming our food systems to be more sustainable while safeguarding public health and ensuring responsible antimicrobial use across the agriculture sector.” 

FAO’s International Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (InFARM) is another such initiative. It assists countries in collecting, analyzing, and utilizing AMR data from livestock, fisheries, and aquaculture, helping to inform evidence-based policies and actions. 

In addition, the declaration highlights the importance of the Multi-Partner Trust Fund for AMR, whichsupports countries in the implementation of the AMR national actions plans (NAPs) through a One Health approach through crucial technical assistance and funding for relevant programs at global levels. FAO, together with its Quadripartite partners—the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)—remains committed to working with governments, the private sector, and civil society to translate the declaration’s commitments into concrete, impactful actions. 

FAO also underscores the critical role of the AMR Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Platform, hosted by the organization on behalf of the Quadripartite. The platform fosters global collaboration by bringing together diverse stakeholders to align efforts, share best practices, and develop innovative solutions to tackle AMR across sectors. This collective approach is crucial in achieving the goals set forth in the Political Declaration. 

FAO remains dedicated to supporting the implementation of the Political Declaration and advancing its mission to eradicate hunger, promote sustainable agriculture, and build resilient agrifood systems. The organization will continue to play a leading role in the global fight against AMR, working with its partners to build a healthier, more sustainable future for all. 

Related links

UNGA79: World leaders commit to decisive action on antimicrobial resistance