In September 2024, 193 delegations gathered during the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to address the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to withstand the effects of treatments, such as antibiotics. This makes common infections more difficult to treat, potentially reversing decades of medical advancements. The UN emphasized that without immediate action, AMR could cause millions of additional deaths each year, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries. The high-level meeting on AMR called for coordinated global efforts to reduce the projected 10 million annual deaths by 2050 due to drug-resistant infections.
One of the key initiatives emerging from the meeting was the commitment to reduce human deaths from AMR by 10% by 2030. To support this, the political declaration adopted by the assembly urged member states to finance national action plans, with a goal of securing funding for at least 60% of countries. Additionally, the declaration stressed the importance of One Health Trust’s approach, which integrates the health of humans, animals, and the environment in the fight against AMR. This perspective has been proven effective in curbing the spread of drug-resistant infections.
AMR’s impacts extend beyond healthcare, affecting agriculture, animal health, and the environment. The UN highlighted the need to reduce antimicrobial use in agriculture and improve infection control measures, including sanitation and vaccination strategies. Reducing the release of antimicrobials into the environment, a key contributor to AMR, was also prioritized, with increased research on its environmental impact.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, warned during the assembly, “Antimicrobial resistance could unwind 100 years of medical progress, making infections that are easily treatable today a death sentence.” Dr. Ghebreyesus called for urgent global cooperation and accountability in tackling this crisis to preserve public health gains.
By Jack Murdock and Mushfiqur Rahman