A very very warm welcome to the first Plenary Assembly of the AMR Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Platform. I am so happy that this Assembly is taking place and regret that I am unable to be present.
We all know that limiting urgently the emergence and spread of Antimicrobial Resistance, or AMR, is absolutely critical. Critical to preserving the ability to treat diseases. Critical to reducing food safety and security risks. Critical to protecting the environment. And critical to fostering equity, because we also know that AMR hits the Global South the very hardest.
In February of this year, UNEP launched a report on the environmental dimension of AMR.
This report underlines the evidence that we know showing that the environment plays a key role in the development, and the transmission and spread of AMR. We also understand from the report that AMR is closely linked to the triple planetary crisis: the crisis of climate change, the crisis of nature and biodiversity loss, and the crisis of pollution and waste. And we further understand that acting on the key drivers such as unsustainable consumption and production can bring benefits not just to the fight against AMR, but across all of these three crises.
Effectively tackling AMR therefore requires a One Health response that recognizes the health of humans of course, but also the health of animals including domesticated and wild, and plants and the environment and all of this is inter-dependent. The global response to AMR clearly requires a close collaboration between sectors so that we can tackle AMR from the pharmaceuticals sector, from the agriculture and food sector, aquaculture, the healthcare and hospital waste management sector, and municipal wastewater management and of course from farming waste. This is the spirit of the AMR multi-stakeholder Partnership Platform, a space where all voices are welcome. A space for creative solutions and a space for the spirit of cooperation.
As I told the Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance earlier this year, there are essentially, in our view, three key areas on which we can take accelerated action. First, we would say, making the economic case for fighting AMR. And secondly, pushing the research and development on prevention of AMR, not just pushing for new drugs. And thirdly, taking coordinated action on increased and predictable funding. And I hope these three areas are included in those that you will be discussing in this gathering and really make progress on.
So, my thanks for your commitment. We at UNEP and the Quadripartite, coordinated by the Quadripartite Joint Secretariat, remain committed to working with you to combat AMR through a One Health approach. Because a One Health response will reduce the risk and the burden of AMR on societies. And will protect human, animal, as well as planetary and therefore economic health.
Thank you.
