Ha Noi, Viet Nam. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) welcomed the Interagency Coordination Group (IACG) on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) delegate at the Green One UN House in Ha Noi, Viet Nam. Dame Sally Claire Davies, the Chief Medical Officer of United Kingdom (UK) Department of Health led the IACG delegation. The goal of the mission is to observe One Health (OH) collaboration to address AMR and determine how UK Government’s Fleming Funds can further contribute to addressing AMR in Viet Nam.

FAO Senior Technical Coordinator, Pawin Padungtod, and WHO Health Policy Team Lead, Momoe Takeuchi, delivered a joint presentation on Working together to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Viet Nam. The presentation highlighted the roles of FAO and WHO to combat AMR using OH approach. This approach is firmly rooted in understanding the context of the country.

The overarching strategies include the development of multisector policies and engagement of government and development partners; improvement of (health) systems to combat AMR, raise awareness, generate evidence, and promote good stewardship and practices (including infectious prevention and control) according to both WHO Global Action Plan and FAO Action Plan on AMR.

Working together, FAO and WHO generate high-level political support, serve as convener on technical matters and facilitate coordination of various government ministries and development partners. Key challenges, opportunities, Government of Viet Nam priorities and collaborative way forward were shared and discussed with the delegate. The IACG members congratulated FAO and WHO for the joint efforts and initiatives that the two organizations implemented in the country.

The visiting delegate included IACG members from the Food and Drug Administration of the United States, UK Department of Health, Ghana Ministry of Health, Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, Fleming Fund and British Embassy Ha Noi. Apart from their meeting with WHO and FAO Viet Nam, the delegate also visited Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and other partners involving in AMR activities in Viet Nam.

About the Interagency Coordination Group on Antimicrobial Resistance

During the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Member States adopted the Political Declaration of the High-level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance contained in Resolution A/RES/71/3. This reflected Member States’ recognition of the magnitude of this global problem and consensus about the actions needed to prevent a post-antibiotic era. In accordance the Political Declaration, the Secretary-General established an ad hoc Interagency Coordination Group (IACG) on Antimicrobial Resistance, in consultation with the World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the World Organization for Animal Health. The Group is co-chaired by the UN Deputy Secretary-General and the Director General of the World Health Organization and comprises high level representatives of relevant UN agencies, other international organizations, and individual experts across different sectors. The objective of the IACG is provide practical guidance for approaches needed to ensure sustained effective global action to address antimicrobial resistance, including options to improve coordination, taking into account the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance. (Source: http://www.who.int/antimicrobial-resistance/interagency-coordination-group/en/)