In December, the FBIS “Central Research Institute of Epidemiology” of Rospotrebnadzor (CRIE) was awarded the status of an FAO Reference Centre for antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

“It was a long and thorough process with many steps, which required a lot of work by both sides,” shared Dr Daniel Beltran-Alcrudo, FAO leading expert. “It reflects the excellence of the Institute and the great work conducted over the years providing technical assistance to countries in the region.” 

“I would like to congratulate the Centre and all the staff for this important recognition. This will further strengthen the already established collaboration between FAO and the Institute,” proceeded Dr Beltran-Alcrudo. “We look forward to continue working together for many more years to come.”

“Granting the status of an FAO Reference Centre to CRIE, one of the 9 centres in the world for antimicrobial resistance, is a recognition of our professional experience in studying AMR in the territory of the Russian Federation, the EAEU countries and the Republic of Tajikistan,” said Igor Manzenyuk, Assistant Director for Research Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor. “We are proud of this appointment, which is the natural result of 4 years of hard work in this direction.”

“I am convinced that the appointment of our Institute as an FAO Reference Centre will make a significant contribution to intersectoral efforts to combat this global health challenge, will give impetus to the development of a regional laboratory network in the food sector and agriculture in selected countries of Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia,” continued Igor Manzenyuk. “This will be a valuable contribution to the worldwide campaign against AMR, and will add value to our work and FAO’s activities to reduce antimicrobial resistance in this region.”

The background information:

• According to WHO projections, if the current trend continues, by 2050, deaths due to the ineffectiveness of antibacterial drugs will exceed deaths from cancer.
• Food, both animal and non-animal products, is a potential source of antimicrobial-resistant infections in humans.
• Antibiotic-resistant pathogens easily cross borders.
• Prevention of diseases in animals and prudent use of antibiotics in veterinary practice contribute to reducing AMR. Promoted jointly by FAO, WHO and OIE, the One Health strategy is an effective way to counter this growing threat.

FAO AMR Reference Centres maintain their status for four years. After this time, it is possible to extend the status for the next 4-year terms.

In the Russian Federation, AMR is designated as one of the priority areas in the “Fundamentals of the state policy in the field of chemical and biological safety of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2025”. 

Russia actively participates in international cooperation in the fight against AMR, is a participant in multilateral events and co-author of outcome documents, in particular, the High-Level Meeting of the UN General Assembly on AMR in 2016 that approved the Political Declaration, which outstripped a systematic intersectoral approach to solving the problem of AMR at the national, regional and global levels.