Antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global threat to humans, animals, plants, and the environment. Reducing the need for antimicrobials and limiting the emergence of resistant pathogens is critical to maintaining the world's ability to treat human, animal and plant diseases, reduce food safety and security risks and protect the environment.

As AMR has multiple drivers and needs to be tackled on many fronts, a One Health approach is essential to ensure that all sectors and stakeholders communicate and work effectively together.

To address the challenges that zoonotic diseases and AMR pose to sustainable agriculture and agrifood systems, FAO established the Joint FAO/WHO Centre for Zoonotic Diseases and AMR (CJWZ). The Centre coordinates FAO's work on AMR. It also coordinates external relations with the quadripartite collaboration and other stakeholders for better health security.

FAO, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) have been working together to address risks at the human, animal, plant, and environment interface. This quadripartite collaboration focuses on areas that add value and enables a more comprehensive understanding of the multiple drivers of AMR and shared challenges and opportunities in key policy and technical areas.