Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a growing threat to human and animal health. It endangers modern human and veterinary medicine and undermines the safety of our food and environment.

AMR occurs when micro-organisms including bacteria, parasites, and viruses develop resistance to antimicrobials such as antibiotics, antifungal, antiparasitic and antiviral drugs. It threatens the effective prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, thus increasing the risk of disease spread, illnesses and deaths.

The increased use of antibiotics in food production, health care and many other applications is having an impact on other living species, including aquatic animals.

FAO recognizes scientific research and innovation is vital to reduce and eliminate AMR. The UN agency has announced the designation of four FAO Reference Centres on AMR and Aquaculture Biosecurity to provide independent and technical and scientific advice on related issues and to support FAO's mandate.

The Reference Centres are: the Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute in China: the Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute in China; Nitte University in India; and Mississippi State University in the United States.