An array of organizations have suggested that political attention be drawn to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), which poses a threat to animal health worldwide.
The Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance have convened in Barbados (island country in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies) to bring political attention to the issue of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) pertaining to animal health concerns.
The Australian Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Mark Schipp is an external adviser to the Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance. AMR has been raised to the political forefront by the group at the G7, G20, and United Nations General Assembly. Among the number of key constraints the most prevailing concerns include lack of effective antimicrobials and the inability to secure funding for AMR surveillance.
The Global Leaders Group meeting was opened by the four Director Generals of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
The UNEP launched their report ‘Bracing for Superbugs: Strengthening environmental action in the One Health response to antimicrobial resistance’ into AMR in the environment.
The upcoming UN General Assembly is expected to include a major political statement on AMR which will seek to position AMR as a global challenge affecting everyone, similar to climate change. The approach to antimicrobials in livestock and companion animals will be undergoing significant changes in the near future, especially for animal health.
