Agenda Item 12.9
Honourable Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates,
I have the honour to deliver this Secretariat response on behalf of all WHO regions.
Antimicrobial resistance is no longer only a technical challenge—it is a systemic test of how effectively we govern, finance, and sustain our health systems. The threat of AMR is already undermining progress on universal health coverage, health security, and sustainable development.
Since the adoption of the Global Action Plan in 2015, Member States across regions have made important advances in surveillance, stewardship, infection prevention and control, and multisectoral coordination within a One Health framework.
In the South-East Asia Region, the AMR Roadmap and regional resolution, adopted last year by the Regional Committee, reflect strong political commitment and provide an important platform for accountability.
However, progress remains uneven, and implementation is not yet at the scale required.
Persistent gaps in equitable access to antimicrobials, diagnostics and vaccines, limited sustainable financing, and weak integration of AMR into core health systems continue to constrain impact.
Chair,
The updated Global Action Plan, aligned with WHA78(15) and the 2024 UN General Assembly Political Declaration on AMR, represents an important transition—from commitment to measurable implementation and accountability.
In this context, strengthening global governance mechanisms will be critical to sustain political momentum and ensure coherence across sectors and partners. The Quadripartite Joint Secretariat, the Global Leaders Group, the Multistakeholder Partnership Platform, and the planned Independent Panel for Evidence for Action against AMR provide a unique opportunity to reinforce accountability, elevate evidence-informed decision-making, and support coordinated global action.
We encourage Member States to prioritize four areas:
- Embed AMR within health systems and UHC packages, with a strong focus on prevention;
- Strengthen governance and accountability mechanisms, supported by robust data and surveillance;
- Mobilize sustainable domestic financing and incentivize innovation and research;
- Ensure equitable access to quality-assured antimicrobials, diagnostics and vaccines, including in fragile settings.
Sustained political leadership will be critical to translating commitments into measurable impact.
The Secretariat thanks Member States for their engagement and continued support.
Thank you.