The heads of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), and the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the new One Health Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance, according to a press release from the WHO.
The three organizations launched the group during World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, which occurs from November 18-24, as part of their shared call for united action to preserve and protect antimicrobial medicines. In fact, the WHO’s latest research shows that the world is running out of effective treatments for several common infections.
The group was created in response to a recommendation from the Interagency Coordination Group on Antimicrobial Resistance and supported by the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Misuse and overuse of antimicrobials in humans, animals and agriculture are the main drivers of antimicrobial resistance. Resistant microorganisms can spread between humans, animals or the environment and the antimicrobial medicines used to treat various infectious diseases in animals and humans can be the same.
“Antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest health challenges of our time, and we cannot leave it for our children to solve,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, PhD, WHO Director-General.
The WHO said group will elevate the need to prioritize best practices to address antimicrobial resistance at global, regional, and national levels. And it will advise and advocate for the development and implementation of polices and legislation to govern the importation, manufacture, distribution and use of quality antimicrobial drugs across all sectors.
