World Health Organization Warns of Antimicrobial Resistance Threat as UNGA79 Kicks Off

Strategic Insights -

As the world continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and accelerate efforts to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded a stark warning about the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites no longer respond to medicines, making people sicker and increasing the spread of infections that are difficult to treat, leading to illness and deaths. Without decisive action, AMR will cause even more global suffering, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Key Takeaways:

  • The second High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) will take place on 26 September 2024, during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) high-level week.
  • AMR threatens a century of medical progress and could return us to the pre-antibiotic era, where infections that are treatable today could become a death sentence.
  • The WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, will address the high-level meeting on AMR, emphasizing the need for a strong, accelerated, and well-coordinated global response urgently.
  • The Summit of the Future, which will take place on 22 and 23 September, will bring together world leaders to forge a new international consensus on how to deliver better in the present, including ensuring global decision-making is guided by science, achieving the SDGs, and safeguarding the future.
  • The Pact for the Future will include a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations, with health priorities well-reflected in the outcomes, including access to health services and achieving universal health coverage.
  • WHO officials will participate in official and informal health-focused events, ranging from digital health, maternal, child, and adolescent health, communicable and noncommunicable diseases, and mental health, to action on climate change.
  • The UN General Assembly takes place during WHO's first Investment Round, a series of engagements and ongoing efforts to secure sustainable financing for WHO's core work for the period of 2025-2028.
  • Dr Tedros and WHO representatives will emphasize the importance of investing in global health and of a robust and fully funded WHO to work with countries in advancing health for all.

Statistics:

  • 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): a set of 17 goals designed to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all, with health and well-being at its heart.
  • 2025-2028: the period for which WHO's Investment Round will aim to secure sustainable financing for WHO's core work.
  • 2016: the year the first UN High-level Meeting on AMR took place.
  • 22-23 September 2024: the dates for the Summit of the Future.
  • 26 September 2024: the date for the second High-Level Meeting on AMR.

Sources:

  • World Health Organization (WHO). (n.d.). WHO to host high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
  • United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). (n.d.). UNGA79: Second High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
  • World Health Organization (WHO). (n.d.). Director-General's statement on the second High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).