The roadmap, which has also been adopted by the World Health Organisation (WHO), hopes to unite global efforts in a ‘co-ordinated, One Health response’ throughout the next decade.

 

The Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (GAP-AMR) 2026-2036 was adopted by WOAH members at its 93rd General Session on 21 May. WHO followed suit two days later, in what has been hailed by WOAH as ‘a significant achievement for WOAH and the Quadripartite (FAO, UNEP, WHO and WOAH)’.

 

Reflecting commitments made at the United Nations in 2024, the GAP-AMR sets out a multisectoral strategy to tackle challenges facing human, animal, plant and environmental health.

 

The Plan includes six objectives:

 

• Strengthen awareness and promote appropriate social and behavioural change

• Strengthen surveillance systems and laboratory networks

• Intensify infection prevention and control to reduce the need for antimicrobials

• Ensure equitable access, appropriate use and safe disposal of antimicrobials, diagnostics and other health products

• Accelerate antimicrobial resistance research and innovation

• Strengthen multisectoral governance, sustainable financing and accountability.

 

The next stage of the GAP-AMR will focus on its implementation across the organisations. Both FAO and UNEP are going through their respective approval processes, while other partners are preparing their next steps.

 

The Quadripartite organisations are developing cross-sectoral operational guidance, which will support them and other regions in turning strategic objectives into action. These guidelines are expected to co-ordinate the implementation of the strategy across different sectors, and will be used to strengthen accountability.

 

A Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework will also be used to follow the progress of the GAP-AMR on a global scale.

 

In its statement, WOAH writes: “The adoption of the updated Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance represents the power of international cooperation and collective action. It is the result of sustained engagement from governments, experts, international organisations and non-state actors committed to protecting the effectiveness of antimicrobials and safeguarding health worldwide.”

 

“As the global community moves from commitment to implementation, WOAH remains fully committed to supporting its members and partners in delivering meaningful action against antimicrobial resistance.”

 

The GAP-AMR can be read in full here.