Closely following the UNHLM, the G20, and G7, the Fourth High-level Global Ministerial Conference on AMR acts as a bridge between all to mobilize key international stakeholders from member states, international organizations and key-players.

Embodying the One Health Approach:

Fostering global collaboration and concrete action against Antimicrobial Resistance, this conference aims to converge outcomes from key global AMR events such as the WHO executive Board, the World Health Assembly Resolution, the UN High-Level Meeting, and G20/G7 Forums.

It also seeks to translate such high-level declarations into actionable steps. Through engaging national ministries of health, agriculture and environment, as well as incorporating cross-sectoral actors – including scientists, policymakers, the private sector, youth advocates, academia and civil society – the conference will promote the implementation of a One Health approach.

A pivotal moment to accelerate action:

The epitome of the initiatives, national inter-agency committees, policies and international presence of Saudi Arabia has laid out the steppingstones that this Ministerial will take to the global level for a coordinated actionable effort. This doesn’t make sense.  I would re-word it as it’s just a jumble at the moment.

Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, the conference will announce innovative and practical outcomes to support cross-sectoral National Action Plans, promote stewardship, build capacities, and improve access to antimicrobials.

This conference will pave the way for coordinated global effort against AMR, setting the stage for future progress.

Scientific outcomes:

The Ministerial Conference

proposes establishing an Independent Science Panel, as endorsed by the UNHLM, to provide expert guidance on AMR. It will also advocate for a troika process for future Ministerial Conferences, held biennially, to ensure continuity and effective leadership. To promote knowledge sharing and practical implementation of AMR strategies, support the creation of a One Health Learning Hub. Additionally, a Medical Logistics and Access Hub will be established to support equitable access to quality antibiotics in the region and beyond. These proposals align with the Saudi Vision 2030 goals and will contribute to improved governance, consistent tracking of progress, enhanced support for countries, promotion of antimicrobial stewardship, and increased affordability of antimicrobials.

The overarching goal at the Ministerial Summit is to set a bold, unifying objective for reducing the global burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). A follow-up process is aimed to develop more specific targets that can guide progress at the sector and country levels. A strong political commitment to action and process initiation to develop more granular, context-specific targets.

Establishing a panel for scientific evidence and action on AMR supports evidence-based decision-making. This panel would assess and monitor evidence on drug-resistant infections, contribute to the development of granular targets, and provide countries with reports and recommendations for action.

To maintain political momentum and ensure ongoing progress, we aim to initiate mechanisms for regular convenings of states. These meetings would serve as platforms to review progress, update targets, and translate the findings of the evidence panel into actionable guidance.