FAO Side event for HLPF: Antimicrobial resistance, a litmus test for multi-sectoral action in the SDG era

Excellencies, fellow panellists, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

 

On behalf of the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Jose Graziano da Silva, thank you for this opportunity to  talk about Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR), an issue of global concern.

 

AMR is a global threat that in this inter-connected world cannot be solved alone.  It is not only a threat to health but maybe even more to our efforts to eradicate poverty and to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.    

 

The 2016 O’Neill report that you are likely aware of stated that by 2050, the estimated 700,000 people who currently die each year of drug resistance in illnesses such as bacterial infections, malaria, HIV/AIDS or tuberculosis, could rise to 10 million.  

 

What is often not quoted is that 9 million deaths and 2/3rds of loses will be in the developing world.

 

We face many tough challenges ahead. We must increase healthy food production to feed an expanding global population expected to reach 10 billion by 2050 in the face of climate change, greater urbanization, depletion of natural resources and the rising threat of AMR, among others.

 

Dr Tedros, in his first speech as DG of WHO 2 weeks ago said:

 

“… without health we have nothing as humanity”.  

 

I fully agree, but I would like to add to this statement:

“… without healthy food we will not have health and nothing as humanity”.

 

You cannot have healthy people when they are hungry.

 

The way we produce food must be sustainable and producing food with excessive use of antimicrobials is not sustainable.

 

Mitigating the AMR threat is everyone’s responsibility.  As individuals and as institutions. 

 

At FAO we have developed the FAO Action Plan based on the WHO-endorsed Global Action Plan to which we contributed. 

 

Food and Agriculture has to take its responsibility and protect consumers and the environment.  

 

Currently we are actively working in some 15 countries where systems are notably weak.  The low number is not necessary a reflection of the resources available, but perhaps more importantly the complexity of stakeholders – ranging from shrimp, to dairy farmers, layer chickens, wheat growers, or bee keepers – surveillance in primary production areas, markets, transport and management of effluents and testing in rivers and ponds.

 

Intensifying food production and food systems means additional challenges in disease management and even higher potential for increased use of antimicrobials and the resulting antimicrobial resistance.

 

Antibiotics and other antimicrobials should be predominantly used to cure diseases and alleviate unnecessary animal suffering.

 

Antimicrobial medicines used for growth promotion should be phased out.

 

I am happy to see that the G 20 leaders are coming closer to this position as they have just recognized last week for the first time that the use of antibiotics for growth promotion in the absence of risk analysis is neither responsible nor prudent.

 

FAO is part of the Inter-Agency Coordination Group on AMR (along with WHO and OIE and another 12 agencies).

 

FAO is fully aligned with the Global Action Plan in emphasizing the necessity to adopt a “One Health” approach, and within FAO we have lawyers working with food microbiologists, veterinarians, fish biologists, land and water engineers, and communication specialists – truly multi-dimensional and trans-disciplinary.

 

With all these activities I am convinced that FAO passes the Litmus test.

 

But more is needed - We recognise gaps to be addressed and outreach to civil society, academia, and the private sector (food producers and pharmaceutical companies) is warranted.

 

As we delve into the National Action Plans – we need to start on their implementation, the monitoring and evaluation for corrective action – and here is where strong national and international commitment is needed.

 

More is needed and here I would urge the international community :

Do not forget agriculture … we are, after all, consumers

 

AMR needs a multi-sectoral approach as I and others have already stated and this is only possible with multi-sectoral support from Member States, non-governmental organisations and private sector.

 

We can tackle this problem.

 

 The real litmus test is the support that we receive from countries. Are you ready to support us in this battle?!

 

Thank you for your attention.