Antimicrobial resistance

144th EB Session
Item 5.8 – Antimicrobial resistance
Honorable Chair, Distinguished delegates,
Thank you for the opportunity to speak on behalf of the WMA, representing 9 million physicians
globally. This statement is supported by the IFMSA representing medical students
internationally.
We have noted the report of the director general regarding the progress on the implementation of
the Global Action Plan on antimicrobial resistance.
We recognize that 112 countries have reported developing national action plans, and some
starting the implementation phase. Acknowledging differences between countries, we would like
to reiterate the need for the adoption of a One Health approach in National Action Plan (NAP)
development, but more importantly in its implementation. The Environmental AMR is an aspect
that continues to lack in most of the NAPs that are publicly accessible for review.
We would like to stress the importance of enrollment in the Global Antimicrobial Resistance
Surveillance System GLASS surveillance system for all member states irrespective of their
income level, as this is crucial for understanding the local/national resistance patterns,
conducting research and targeting interventions to prevent the spread of resistance.
We ask member states and their respective public health agencies, and WHO to collaborate with
academia and health professional organizations to ensure that research efforts are not duplicated,
particularly in the fields of infection prevention, and here especially research on the hospital
acquired infection with Acinetobacter baumannii.
We urge all member states to direct funding efforts towards research and development for new
antibiotics by using the priority pathogens list developed by WHO.
Lastly, we reiterate the call to continue to involve health professional and student organizations
both on the national and international level in the development of NAPs as well as moving
forward in the implementation of the Global Action Plan.
Thank you,