Rome, 1 October – Reduce by 10% by 2030 the almost 5 million (4.95) deaths per year associated with antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It is one of the objectives to which world leaders committed themselves by approving a political declaration against the superbug emergency during the 79th high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly on AMR. A commitment that was immediately applauded by FAO, UNEP, WHO and Woah, the UN agencies for food and agriculture, the environment, healthcare and animal health. The approved declaration also includes a request for sustainable national funding and 100 million dollars in catalytic funding to ensure that, again by 2030, at least 60% of countries finance national action plans against antibiotic resistance .
In the field of human health, according to a launch by Adnkronos Health, the declaration sets an ambitious goal: at least 70% of antibiotics used globally should be among those classified by the WHO in the group of antibacterials with relatively minimal side effects and lower potential to induce resistance. Furthermore, by 2030, 100% of countries will need to have basic water, sanitation, hygiene and waste management facilities in all healthcare facilities, and 90% will need to meet all minimum requirements established by WHO for infection prevention and control programmes.
Commitments also cover investments to facilitate equitable access to and appropriate use of antimicrobial medicines, as well as surveillance and reporting of data on antibiotic use and AMR across sectors.
On agriculture and animal health, the declaration commits to significantly reduce by 2030 the amount of antimicrobial products used globally in agri-food systems, prioritizing the implementation and financing of measures to prevent and control infections, and ensuring prudent, responsible and evidence-based use of antibiotics in animals.
Finally, on the environmental front, the declaration highlights the need to prevent and address the discharge of antimicrobials into the environment. It also calls for greater research and knowledge on the environmental dimensions of antibiotic resistance, and action to address the main sources of antimicrobial pollution.
