The President of the 75^th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Mr. Volkan Bozkır is calling for accelerated action to tackle the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). According to him, this is the invisible pandemic that the world is ignoring.

To this end, he is convening a High-level Interactive Dialogue of the General Assembly on Antimicrobial Resistance on Thursday, April 29, 2021. This dialogue aims to discuss practical steps to address AMR amid COVID-19 recovery plans. The dialogue will attract World leaders, UN experts, business and civil society leaders.

“Antimicrobial Resistance is the invisible pandemic we ignore at our peril. Measures to tackle AMR must be central to future pandemic preparedness and COVID-19 recovery plans. The One Health approach will help us to better recognize the interconnections between people, animals, plants, and our shared environment so that we can make our world healthier for all”.
Volkan Bozkir, the President of the General Assembly

Meanwhile, the One Health approach recognizes the strong links between humans, animals, and the environment. AMR is one of the greatest global threats to animal, human and environmental health, livelihoods, food safety, and global food security. It occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change over time and develop resistance to medicines.

Devastating effect of AMR

The impact is devastating because antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines become ineffective. Consequently, infections become increasingly difficult or impossible to treat. This increases the risk of severe illness and death for humans, animals, and plants.

Also, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO stated that COVID-19 has vividly highlighted the significance of strong enough political will and enterprise. It has also exposed “the extent of the risks we all face when this is missing”. He is, therefore, calling for the highest “levels of political will and enterprise to combat the persisting threat of antimicrobial resistance”.

Meanwhile, AMR is a rising pandemic and challenges the effective delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Currently, at least an estimated 700,000 people die each year due to drug-resistant diseases. If no action is taken, drug-resistant diseases could cause 10 million deaths each year by 2050. By 2030, AMR could force up to 24 million people into extreme poverty.

“AMR is arguably one of the most complex threats to global health security, food safety, and food security. Looking at AMR through the lens of food security, FAO expects a 45% rise in the demand for animal proteins by 2050. In many regions, antimicrobial resistance in animal parasites is adding new challenges to animal production. We must face the double challenge of meeting demands for animal proteins while reducing the risks of AMR”.
QU Dongyu, Director-General, Food, and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Call to action

Furthermore, Inger Andersen outlined various actions that can help reduce the risks of AMR. According to him, “we must manage waste better, practice regenerative agriculture that builds on nature’s natural defenses”. He also highlighted the need to “address water and soil pollution”. Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) further stated that the “UNEP will continue to work with partners for a sustainable and secure future”.