FAO urges collective action to tackle antimicrobial resistance

Under the annual theme “Preventing antimicrobial resistance together,” the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is planning various activities during the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2022 to raise awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Europe and Central Asia.

Antimicrobial resistance is a threat to humans, animals, plants and the environment – it affects us all. That is why it should be tackled with a One Health approach. Accordingly, this year's theme calls for cross-sectoral collaboration to preserve the efficacy of these important medicines.

Antimicrobial drugs are key to treating diseases, and their prudent use is essential to protect human, animal and environmental health. However, misuse of antimicrobials in all these fields is a major concern as a risk for emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistant microorganisms. Awareness raising and knowledge sharing are crucial to limit and prevent the development of AMR.

Antimicrobial drugs are key to treating diseases, and their prudent use is essential to protect human, animal and environmental health.

Recently, FAO has translated a series of AMR-themed documents into Russian, which will be distributed through social media and email during AMR awareness week. These case studies present successful animal nutrition strategies and country examples to tackle antimicrobial resistance in livestock species: pigs in Denmark, dairy cattle in Sweden. These documents will aid countries in developing their own strategies against AMR.

Within the region, technical and awareness materials on antimicrobial use in dairy, poultry and swine have been developed and translated and are now available in several other European and Central Asian languages as well as English. Highly visual booklets were prepared on how to use antibiotics effectively and responsibly in dairy, poultry and pig production. These were complemented with leaflets for dairy and poultry vets and farmers, as well as poster versions (both, the dairy and the poultry posters are available in Armenian, English, Kazakh, Russian, and Tajik languages). Finally, the most generic materials, on the use of antibiotics in livestock were translated into 17 languages. In addition to the electronic versions, all materials have been printed and made available at relevant events as part of several field projects.

Activities to share knowledge and promote intersectoral cooperation are also planned by FAO at country-level in the region. These efforts aim to target a wide range of audiences, and include mainly the organization of workshops for discussion, presentations on antimicrobial resistance, and the distribution of informational materials, both in person and via social media.

In Armenia, a multisectoral workshop on antimicrobial resistance is being organized with the Food Safety Inspectorate, Ministries of Health and Economy.

In Belarus, booklets with information on antimicrobial resistance will be published on relevant online platforms (web pages of the chief veterinary officers and the veterinary academy). AMR-themed presentations will also be held during the annual meeting of all chief veterinary officers from district, regional and central level.

In Kazakhstan, a training will be organized for students and other partners. The aim is to increase awareness on antimicrobial resistance and to encourage best practices among future veterinary specialists to avoid emergence and transmission of drug-resistant infections. The training will take place at the Kazakh Agricultural University.

In the Kyrgyz Republic, FAO representatives and antimicrobial resistance experts will share information with the public on radio talk shows, and with students at specialized universities. At the rural council (aiyl-okmotu) and rural clubs, informational classes and lectures are going to be held to discuss AMR. Promotion materials will also be published on social media and on opinion leaders’ accounts.

On the occasion of the awareness week, a quadripartite event is being organized in the Russian Federation by FAO, WHO, the World Organisation for Animal Health, and the United Nations Environment Programme, under the One Health umbrella. The event is planned to bring together key actors involved in implementing the national strategy and action plan on antimicrobial resistance.

A variety of activities is foreseen in Tajikistan. AMR-themed leaflets, posters and other materials will be distributed among the workers of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Tajik Agrarian University, the Committee for Food Security (CFS) and other partners, and will also be shared on social network pages of the Association of Veterinarians of Tajikistan, ministry and CFS. AMR-related speeches will be delivered during round table discussions jointly organized with other actors, one with WHO, international organizations, and local non-governmental organizations, and another one with WHO, Associations of Physicians, Veterinarians and Farmers. Radio interviews, and presentations for veterinary students of the Tajik Agrarian University are also planned.

At the global level, for visual ideas, please check out this open Trello board where you will find the official logo of the 2022 World Antimicrobial Awareness Week and many information resources for use.

Read more

• World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2022
• A wake-up call for impact: Animal health and production strategy for FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia 2020–2025
• FAO promotes prudent use of antimicrobials
• United in the One Health approach to protect antimicrobials (Tripartite statement)