High-Level Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to global public health, necessitating urgent and coordinated action at national and international levels.  From 6 to 8 May 2024, the Federal Public Service Public Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment (FPS Health), together with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the research institution Sciensano, organized a High-Level Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in the context of the Belgian presidency of the Council of the European Union. FAO Brussels Director, Raschad Al-Khafaji, attended the event and gave opening remarks.  

In his intervention, Al-Khafaji underlined that 2024 is a historic year for the future of AMR as, in addition to the ongoing negotiations of the Pandemic Instrument in Geneva, it will be marked by two major events: the UN High-Level Meeting on AMR and the Fourth Ministerial Conference on AMR. He further made reference to the work of FAO in facilitating dialogue and sharing best practices, forging essential partnerships and enabling Members and organizations to collaborate effectively in tackling AMR. 

He then highlighted the importance of the AMR Quadripartite of Organizations and the role model it represents for such relevant cross-sectorial cooperation.  

FAO is a member of the Quadripartite Joint Secretariat on Antimicrobial Resistance, a collaborative initiative together with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). The Quadripartite seeks to strengthen surveillance and monitoring of antimicrobial use and resistance; improve stewardship of antimicrobial drugs; promote research and innovation; raise awareness; and advocate for policy actions to combat AMR effectively. 

You can read more about FAO’s` work related to antimicrobial resistance here.