The successful conclusion of the sixth annual meeting of the Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) Global Research and Expertise Network (PPR-GREN) marks a significant step forward in the ongoing efforts to eradicate PPR. Held in Bengaluru, India from 28 to 30 November 2023, the event provided a platform for leading researchers, experts and stakeholders engaged in the fight against PPR to exchange cutting-edge research, experiences and insights, all aimed at supporting the PPR eradication program. 

This meeting showcased the latest results and experiences from research and activities undertaken by network participants, with keynote speakers enriching discussions on critical topics. A call for abstracts allowed network members to share their latest work across various themes, including new technologies, epidemiology, surveillance, diagnostics, vaccination, and other control methods. 

The Bengaluru meeting produced main recommendations for research priorities in support of PPR eradication. These include the definition and mapping of episystems based on socio-economics, epidemiological, and molecular factors in domestic and wild animals. Research priorities also encompass sheep and goat virus transmission, atypical hosts like camels and pigs, validation of antibody and antigen serological tests, vaccination strategies, socio-economic evaluations as well as the implementation of One Health approaches at the community level. 

Amid ongoing global efforts to combat PPR, the findings from the 6th Annual Meeting of PPR-GREN emphasize the crucial role of collaborative research and expertise exchange in realizing the ambitious aim of eradicating this devastating animal disease by 2030. These updates and ensuing discussions are anticipated to play a substantial role in advancing the implementation of the third phase of the PPR Global Eradication Programme (PPR GEP), guiding priorities for additional research in the ongoing battle against PPR. 

PPR, a highly contagious and devastating animal disease affecting domestic small ruminants and wild artiodactyls, poses a significant threat in 68 countries. Recognizing its impact on sheep and goats, crucial sources of food and income for millions globally, FAO and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) launched the PPR Global Control and Eradication Strategy (PPR GCES) in 2015. Subsequently, the second and third phases of the PPR GEP, known as the “Blueprint for PPR Eradication by 2030,” were launched in November 2022. This blueprint outlines key control strategies and milestones, with the overarching goal of global PPR eradication by 2030. Considering the epidemiological situation and the transboundary nature of diseases, the blueprint emphasized the need to address PPR and other diseases at the episystem levels. 

The success of the PPR GEP Blueprint relies on innovative research, with PPR-GREN serving as a crucial forum for scientific and technical collaboration. Established in 2018, the network facilitates information-sharing, coordination, and collaboration among researchers and implementers supporting PPR eradication. 

Organized into four thematic groups focusing on atypical hosts, wildlife hosts, socioeconomics, and vaccination strategy, the network plays a pivotal role in advancing the goals established during the 2019 PPR-GREN meeting. In the spirit of the Blueprint, a 5th thematic group (episystem) was created. A key goal in assessment of episystems is to identify the core reservoir populations and distinguish reservoir populations from incidentally infected populations. The core reservoirs in PPR episystems are populations of sheep and goats necessary and sufficient to efficiently circulate the virus indefinitely. The objectiveo of these groups include updating the network on research outputs within their respective expertise areas and advising on research priorities to bolster the PPR Global Eradication Programme (GEP). 

In the coming years, as we strive to implement the outlined strategies and milestones of the PPR GEP Blueprint, ongoing updates and discussions within the PPR-GREN community are anticipated to shape the trajectory of our efforts. The collaborative spirit exhibited in Bengaluru stands as a guiding light, emphasizing that through shared knowledge and coordinated action, we can indeed realize the vision of a world free from the scourge of Peste des Petits Ruminants by 2030. 

The 2022 annual report of the WOAH/FAO Network of Expertise on Animal Influenza (OFFLU) highlights its significant contributions in sharing critical scientific data, advancing pandemic preparedness vaccines, and promoting diagnostic capabilities worldwide. Through collaborative efforts with international organizations, OFFLU strives to enhance global health and preparedness in combating avian, swine, and equine influenza, while safeguarding animal and human populations against the risks posed by these infectious diseases. 

Sharing critical data with the international community

OFFLU aims to promptly identify and analyze emerging strains of influenza viruses in animal populations. By effectively managing known infections, this proactive approach ensures improved management of risks to human health, and contributes to the promotion of global food security, animal health and welfare, and various other community benefits associated with domestic animals and wildlife. 

Avian influenza has been a major concern throughout 2022, reaching a record number of cases affecting millions of poultry and wild birds across the world. As highlighted in OFFLU’s annual report, the network’s experts have identified H5N1 as the main avian influenza subtype circulating in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe, which showed significant genetic variations within the different regions. 

The report also mentions an increase in infections among both terrestrial and marine mammals. While human infections with H5N1 were sporadic, they were reported in some of the affected continents and low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) viruses of the H9N2 subtype resulted in losses in poultry production.

To address the global surge in avian influenza outbreaks, OFFLU experts contributed to risk assessments and actively participated in sharing critical data with the scientific community and policymakers. By working together with experts across sectors, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the World Health Organization (WHO), OFFLU has largely contributed to a better understanding of the avian influenza situation and how to best tackle it. 

Contributing to pandemic preparedness 

As part of its key mission to collect genetic data on influenza viruses, OFFLU contributed to the WHO Vaccine Composition Meeting (VCM) for avian and swine influenza, in collaboration with WOAH and FAO Reference Centers, research programs, and national veterinary laboratories. The network provided essential genetic, antigenic, and epidemiological data to contribute to development of human candidate vaccine viruses for pre-pandemic preparedness. It helps ensure that, should these animal influenza viruses make the jump from animals to humans, and potentially cause a pandemic, the appropriate vaccines are rapidly developed with the best protection possible. As such, they collected over 1,500 avian influenza virus sequences and 534 swine influenza virus sequences from various regions worldwide. 

Regarding swine influenza, OFFLU provided valuable information to the WHO VCM for influenza pre-pandemic preparedness, where a new candidate vaccine virus for swine influenza was proposed. The experts group also participated in a Tool for Influenza Pandemic Risk Assessment (TIPRA) exercise to address the detection of swine influenza viruses and human cases across different geographical regions since 2017. 

In addition, the Expert Surveillance Panel of Equine Influenza, which includes OFFLU and WHO influenza experts, met to review the activity and characteristics of equine influenza viruses. Similar to previous years, the panel issued recommendations on the content of vaccines for the international market. 

Promoting diagnostic capabilities and monitoring wildlife risks 

To promote international harmonization of diagnostic capabilities among laboratories, OFFLU conducted proficiency testing rounds. Within the year, the focus was on assessing laboratories’ ability to detect and characterize widely circulating influenza viruses. 

In order to address the rising number of H5N1 avian influenza cases reported in mammalian species such as mink and sea otters, OFFLU also carried out a monitoring and tracking of the increased risk of avian influenza transmission to mammals in 2022. Experts shared data and collaborated closely with local public health counterparts to enhance the collective knowledge on risk factors, potential prevention and preparedness measures against this growing concern. 

We are here to provide countries with the best information and guidance to fight animal influenza.

Professor Ian Brown,
Chair of OFFLU Steering Committee

As OFFLU continues its tireless efforts to combat animal influenzas, its collaborative approach and dedication to the One Health framework remain vital in safeguarding animal and human populations against the threats of these infectious diseases. 

Muscat – The Third Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance, hosted in Muscat, Oman, concluded today, where targets to address the global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) challenge were discussed for the first time. The conference and its numerical targets for antimicrobial use in the human and animal sectors will pave the way for bold political commitments at the forthcoming UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on AMR in 2024.

The conference agreed the Muscat Ministerial Manifesto sets out the three global targets:

  • Reduce the total amount of antimicrobials used in agrifood systems by at least 30-50% by 2030, galvanizing national and global efforts;
  • Preserve critically important antimicrobials for human medicine, ending the use of medically important antimicrobials for growth promotion in animals;
  • Ensure ‘Access’ group antibiotics (a category of antibiotics that are affordable, safe and have a low AMR risk) represent at least 60% of overall antibiotic consumption in humans by 2030.

Globally agreed targets will be key to protecting the efficacy of antimicrobials and curbing the development of AMR worldwide, as well as reducing environmental pollution, in turn lowering the spread of AMR.

Countries also made commitments to implement National Action Plans for AMR and strengthen surveillance through improved data reporting and management, private sector engagement and implementation of evidence-based practices.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, founded as OIE), known as the Quadripartite, welcome the outcomes of the Conference for accelerating action on AMR.

The COVID-19 pandemic may have constrained global efforts to address AMR, but it has also demonstrated the critical links between humans, animals and the environmental ecosystem. A range of stakeholders – including the health care, pharmaceutical, veterinary, food safety, agricultural, environmental sectors – have a shared responsibility to continue to collectively respond to AMR.

“FAO recognizes the importance of reducing the need for antimicrobials on farms and will soon launch a global 10-year initiative to provide comprehensive support to Members focusing on transforming agrifood systems to contribute to this reduction,” said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu.

“Self-reporting by countries indicates that a third of National Action Plans on AMR do not include the environment. This signals the critical importance of supporting countries to boost actions to prevent and reduce environmental pollution. The burden of AMR can be reduced if we focus on all its dimensions and work together. UNEP is committed to working with Member States and key partners, including the Quadripartite organisations, to address AMR,” said Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director for UNEP Inger Andersen.

“Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most urgent and complex challenges of our time, and yet perhaps because it is not as dramatic as a pandemic, a war or a humanitarian emergency, it doesn’t attract the same attention,” said WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “It is my firm hope that this meeting will pave the way towards bold- and concrete – political commitments at the 2024 UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on AMR.”

The use of antimicrobials in animals has shown an overall decrease over the last years. By strengthening biosecurity and husbandry practices, such as animal vaccination, we can further build on this great achievement and sustainably reach the agreed goals. Reducing the need for antimicrobials is the best way to prevent antimicrobial resistance.




Dr Monique Eloit, WOAH Director General

The conference marks the conclusion of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, an annual week-long global campaign that brings together leaders across sectors to highlight the actions needed to preserve and protect antimicrobials.                                                                          

As highlighted by the Manifesto, the Quadripartite will continue to scale up support through a One Health approach, which balances and optimizes the health of people, animals, plants and ecosystems. The partnership will also continue to coordinate a global, multisectoral AMR response, promote strong governance and leadership, and support countries in developing and implementing National Action Plans on AMR.

Notes to editors: 

Antimicrobials are agents used to prevent, control and treat infectious diseases in humans, animals and plants. They include antibiotics, fungicides, antiviral agents and parasiticides. 

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial agents. As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents become ineffective and infections become difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death. 

About the Quadripartite organisations:  

About the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) 

FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Its goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 members – 194 countries and the European Union, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. 

For more information please contact: Peter Mayer, FAO News and Media, [email protected]

About the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) 

UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. 

For more information, please contact: Keishamaza Rukikaire, Head of News & Media, UN Environment Programme 

About the World Health Organization (WHO)  

Dedicated to the well-being of all people and guided by science, the World Health Organization leads and champions global efforts to give everyone, everywhere an equal chance to live a healthy life. 

For more information, please contact:  WHO media inquiries at [email protected] 

About the World Organisation for Animal Health:  

WOAH is the global authority on animal health: we work across borders to improve the health of animals and our future, recognising that animal health impacts everyone’s health. 

For more information, please contact: WOAH media requests at [email protected]  

17 October 2022, Paris, Geneva, Nairobi, Rome – Today, a new One Health Joint Plan of Action was launched by the Quadripartite – the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, founded as OIE).

This first joint plan on One Health aims to create a framework to integrate systems and capacity so that we can collectively better prevent, predict, detect, and respond to health threats. Ultimately, this initiative seeks to improve the health of humans, animals, plants, and the environment, while contributing to sustainable development.

The One Health Joint Plan of Action, developed through a participatory process, provides a set of activities that aim to strengthen collaboration, communication, capacity building, and coordination equally across all sectors responsible for addressing health concerns at the human-animal-plant-environment interface.

The One Health Joint Plan of Action (OH JPA)      

The five-year plan (2022-2026) focuses on supporting and expanding capacities in six areas: One Health capacities for health systems, emerging and re-emerging zoonotic epidemics, endemic zoonotic, neglected tropical and vector-borne diseases, food safety risks, antimicrobial resistance and the environment. 

This technical document is informed by evidence, best practices, and existing guidance. It covers a set of actions which endeavour to advance One Health at global, regional and national levels. These actions notably include the development of an upcoming implementation guidance for countries, international partners, and non-State actors such as civil society organizations, professional associations, academia and research institutions.

The plan sets out operational objectives, which include: providing a framework for collective and coordinated action to mainstream the One Health approach at all levels; providing upstream policy and legislative advice and technical assistance to help set national targets and priorities; and promoting multinational, multi-sector, multidisciplinary collaboration, learning and exchange of knowledge, solutions and technologies. It also fosters the values of cooperation and shared responsibility, multisectoral action and partnership, gender equity, and inclusiveness.

Why One Health?

One Health is the main approach for addressing the complex health challenges facing our society, such as ecosystem degradation, food system failures, infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance.

“Using a One Health lens that brings all relevant sectors together is critical to tackle global health threats, like monkeypox, COVID-19 and Ebola.” WOAH Director General Dr Monique Eloit highlights the need for enhanced disease prevention capacity in all sectors. “It all starts with ensuring the health of animals. Animal health is our health, it is everyone’s health.”

FAO Director-General QU Dongyu adds, “One Health should start from proper land management and stopping deforestation, which will help people and their animals in the surrounding environment. We need all sectors working closely together to identify and implement adaptation and mitigation measures.”

UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen says that, “Everyone has the right to a clean and healthy environment – the foundation of all life on Earth. The current pandemic unequivocally demonstrates that the degradation of nature is driving up health risks across the board.” Efforts by just one sector or specialty cannot prevent or eliminate infectious disease and other complex threats to One Health. She continued: “Vulnerable populations of all species, including the most poor and marginalized humans, bear the heaviest costs. The Joint Plan of Action will drive down health risks through an integrated approach to human, animal and environment health.”

 “It’s clear that a One Health approach must be central to our shared work to strengthen the world’s defences against epidemics and pandemics such as COVID-19. That’s why One Health is one of the guiding principles of the new international agreement for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, which our Member States are now negotiating.” WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

Building on existing structures and agreements, mechanisms for coordinated financing are under development to support the plan’s implementation. The Quadripartite will join forces to leverage the needed resources in support of the common approach to address critical health threats and promote the health of people, animals, plants and the environment.

New York – Today, The Global Leaders Group co-chairs, Their Excellencies Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, hosted a UN General Assembly side event to discuss and address antimicrobial resistance (AMR) with Heads of Government and State, government Ministers and relevant stakeholders. The event was moderated by Global Leaders Group member Christopher Fearne, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health of Malta.

AMR is already a global threat that contributes to almost 5 million deaths per year, while disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries. It poses serious threats to human, animal, plant and environmental health, and severely undermines the sustainability of agri-food systems.

“Urgent action is required to stop the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Without action, we face a future where we will be unable to treat infections in humans, animals and plants. We must work together to protect our medicines” says co-chair of the Global Leader Group on AMR Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

The 2016 Political Declaration of the High-Level meeting of the UN General Assembly on AMR was critical to galvanizing political action while officially recognizing AMR as a global crisis and that preventing and controlling infections are the key to tackling it. Today’s side event was an opportunity to urge political leadership and action on AMR in advance of the UN General Assembly High-level meeting in 2024 that the Global Leaders Group is pleased to have secured to progress global action to mitigate AMR.

“As we continue together towards the High-level meeting in 2024, let us ensure we make an impact and set the course for concrete political action on AMR.” says co-chair of the Global Leader Group on AMR, Her Excellency Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados.

Today’s event was attended by Heads of Government and State, government ministers, stakeholders, and members of the Quadripartite comprised of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). While this side event was critical to continue the discussion of developing and implementing national action plans to address AMR, the Global Leaders Group urges all Heads of Government and State to build on this political momentum and continue to engage on AMR across all sectors with urgency and include it in all aspects of their work. The G7 and G20 countries particularly have a special role to catalyze and galvanize the global response against AMR.

“It is encouraging to see AMR as a consistent agenda item in G7 and G20 presidencies.” says member of the Global Leaders Group on AMR, Christopher Fearne, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health of Malta. “This momentum has to be consolidated with urgency and specific commitments.” he adds.

The Global Leaders Group has been calling for specific actions from G7 and G20 countries that include fully funding their own national action plans on AMR, contributing to fund multi-sectoral national action plans of resource-limited countries through support to existing financial structures, financially supporting the AMR Multi-Partner Trust Fund, supporting financial incentives and mechanisms for the development of new antimicrobials (particularly antibiotics), vaccines, diagnostics, waste management tools, and safe and effective alternatives to antimicrobials, with a defined timeline and following through on their existing AMR commitments and finally, monitoring their progress annually.

In their respective roles, the members of the Global Leaders Group will continue to advocate for political leadership on this issue in every country and collaborate globally to address AMR through a One Health approach across the human, animal, plant and environment health sectors. For more information, please visit  www.amrleaders.org.

For inquiries, please contact the Global Leaders Group secretariat at [email protected]

Joint FAO/OIE/WHO/UNEP Press release

Strengthened partnership aims to accelerate coordinated strategy on human, animal and ecosystem health

Rome/Paris/Geneva/Nairobi – Work to tackle the challenges of human, animal and ecosystem health using a more integrated approach has seen significant progress in the past year, leaders of three international organizations cooperating across these sectors said, as they expanded their group to include a fourth body, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

At its annual executive meeting this week, the Tripartite partnership for One Health, bringing together the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), formally became the Quadripartite as it signed a Memorandum of Understanding with UNEP.

The One Health approach aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals,  ecosystems and the wider environment. It mobilizes multiple sectors, disciplines and communities to work together to foster well-being and tackle threats to health and ecosystems. And it addresses the collective need for clean water, energy and air, safe and nutritious food, action on climate change, and contributing to sustainable development.

“We are stronger with UNEP joining the Tripartite, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu said, adding: “UNEP is already active in relevant areas of Tripartite work.” The Memorandum of Understanding notes that UNEP “sets the environmental agenda and promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the UN system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.”

The work of the newly expanded alliance will be focused on a One Health Joint Plan of Action, which includes six main action tracks: enhancing countries’ capacity to strengthen health systems under a One Health approach; reducing the risks from emerging or resurfacing zoonotic epidemics and pandemics; controlling and eliminating endemic zoonotic, neglected tropical or vector-borne diseases; strengthening the assessment, management and communication of food safety risks; curbing the silent pandemic of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and better integrating the environment into the One Health approach.

Plan implementation: the key challenge 

As FAO handed over the rotating chair of the secretariat to WHO, Director-General Qu noted the past year’s substantial progress in efforts to collectively develop the action plan and added: “Now the challenge is implementation: how do we translate our work on the ground to support our Members? And how do we mobilize funding and financing mechanisms to support the Joint Plan for Action?”

In his opening remarks, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said: “We need to build a more comprehensive and coordinated One Health governance structure at global level. We need a strong workforce, committed political will, and sustained financial investment. We need to develop a more proactive way of communicating and engaging across sectors, disciplines and communities to elicit the change we need.” 

Monique Eloit, OIE Director General acknowledged the key milestone of the MoU with UNEP, saying: “Today, I am particularly pleased that our Tripartite collaboration is expanded to include UNEP as an equal partner. Its mandate, expertise and networks will provide an important contribution to advance One Health. This new chapter in our partnership will make us stronger and more prepared to serve our members and address global health challenges.”  

UNEP’s Executive Director Inger Andersen said: “What is apparent to everyone involved in One Health is that no one sector can solve the many problems we face alone. To secure human, animal and environment health – to secure the very future of this planet – we need more collaboration and partnerships. We need to stand together and work together if we are to thrive together. UNEP, as the newest full member of the Alliance, is ready to do its part as an equal partner.”

Increased awareness of One Health 

As the world enters the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, with an estimated cost of $8 to 16 trillion, there is increased awareness and broad recognition of the importance of One Health as a long-term, viable and sustainable approach. And it is also now firmly anchored on the global agenda, from the G7 and G20 to the UN Food Systems Summit.  To support a global One Health Coalition, a One Health Commitment was registered at the UN Food Systems Summit, aimed at building engagement across sectors, disciplines, and all levels of society. This commitment will help shape national agrifood systems transformation pathways as part of the Summit follow-up.

Last year saw the Tripartite also implement a number of other initiatives on One Health and AMR. The One Health High-Level Expert Panel had an important scientific advisory role. One Health Regional Platforms were strengthened and new ones initiated to share information and best practices. Important progress was also made in establishing a Joint Framework on AMR, a Global Leaders’ Group on AMR, and in work towards an AMR Multi-stakeholder Partnership Platform, mobilizing resources and action to fight antimicrobial resistance that threatens the lives of millions. These achievements reflect the successful cooperation between the Tripartite and UNEP which has now reached an important new milestone with the signature of a formal collaboration agreement.

Photo credit: (c) FAO

Geneva, Nairobi, Paris, Rome

The Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance today called on all countries to reduce the amount of antimicrobial waste entering the environment. This includes researching and implementing measures to safely dispose of antimicrobial waste from food, human health and animal health systems, and manufacturing facilities.

The call comes ahead of the UN Environment Assembly which takes place in Nairobi and online from 28 February to 2 March 2022 where countries will discuss the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.

The Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance includes heads of state, government ministers, and leaders from private sector and civil society. The group was established in November 2020 to accelerate global political momentum, leadership and action on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and is co-chaired by Their Excellencies Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, and Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

Antimicrobial drug waste is polluting the environment

The Global Leaders Group’s call to action calls for all countries to improve measures  for the management and disposal of antimicrobial-containing waste and runoff from manufacturing sites, farms, hospitals and other sources.

Antimicrobials given to humans, animals and plants are entering the environment and water sources (including drinking water sources) via wastewater, waste, run-off and sewage and through this spreading drug-resistant organisms and antimicrobial resistance.

This could fuel a rise in the emergence and spread of ‘superbugs’ that are resistant to several types of antimicrobial drugs [1]. It could also harm organisms in the environment.

Reducing the amount of antimicrobial pollution entering the environment is crucial to conserving the effectiveness of antimicrobial medicines 

The Global Leaders Group calls for all countries to develop and implement regulations and standards to better monitor and control the distribution and release of antimicrobials and drug-resistant organisms into the environment.

Other key actions include:

  1. In the manufacturing sector, developing national antimicrobial manufacturing pollution standards to better control and monitor antimicrobial pollution.
  2. In the human and animal health sector, enforcing laws and policies to reduce or eliminate antimicrobial use that is not under the guidance of a trained healthcare provider.
  3. In food systems, implementing standards to treat and manage discharge from food-animal farms, aquaculture farms and crop fields.

Inaction will have dire consequences for human, animal, plant and environmental health

Antimicrobial drugs, including antibiotics, antifungals and antiparasitics, are used in human and veterinary medicine all over the world. They are used to treat and prevent diseases in humans and animals, and sometimes in food production to promote growth in healthy animals. Antimicrobial pesticides are also used in agriculture to treat and prevent diseases in plants.

Current antimicrobial drug usage in humans, animals and plants is leading to a concerning rise in drug-resistance and making infections harder to treat.

Drug-resistant microbes and disease-causing pathogens can pass between humans, animals, plants and food, and in the environment.

The climate crisis may also be contributing to a rise in antimicrobial resistance. [2]

Drug-resistant diseases contribute to nearly 5 million deaths every year. Urgent action is needed to curb the rise and spread of antimicrobial resistance across all countries. Without action, the world is rapidly approaching a tipping point where the antimicrobials needed to treat infections in humans, animals and plants will no longer be effective.

The impact on local and global health systems, economies, food security and food systems will be devastating.

The connections between antimicrobial resistance, environmental health and the climate crisis are becoming increasingly stark. We must act now to protect the environment, and people everywhere, from the damaging effects of antimicrobial pollution.

Co-chair of the Global Leader Group on Antimicrobial Resistance, Her Excellency Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados

“The connections between antimicrobial resistance, environmental health and the climate crisis are becoming increasingly stark,”says co-chair of the Global Leader Group on Antimicrobial Resistance, Her Excellency Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados. “We must act now to protect the environment, and people everywhere, from the damaging effects of antimicrobial pollution.’’

Understanding and managing global antimicrobial pollution should be a priority for all countries

While the exact scale of global antimicrobial pollution is unknown, evidence indicates that it could have significant impacts on antimicrobial resistance. For example, multi-drug resistant bacteria are already prevalent in marine waters and sediments close to aquaculture, industrial and municipal discharges. [3]

People in all countries can play a role by ensuring they dispose of expired and unused medicines correctly.

Investors can also contribute by investing in the research and development of cost-effective and greener waste management technologies.

[1] UNEP (2017). ‘Frontiers 2017 Emerging Issues of Environmental Concern’. Available here.

[2] Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance. (2021) ’Antimicrobial Resistance and the Climate Crisis’. Available here.

[3] UNEP (2017). ‘Frontiers 2017 Emerging Issues of Environmental Concern’. Available here.

Notes to Editors:

Reducing Antimicrobial Discharges from Food Systems, Manufacturing Facilities and Human Health Systems into the Environment

Call to Action by the Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance 

March 2022

Disposal of untreated or inappropriately managed waste and runoff from various sources including food systems, manufacturing facilities and human health systems can contain biologically active antimicrobials, antimicrobial resistant organisms, unmetabolized antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance determinants (e.g. resistance-conferring genes) that are released into the environment. These discharges can contaminate the environment and contribute to the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The most important approach to controlling AMR spread from food systems and human health systems is responsible and sustainable use of antimicrobials in humans, terrestrial and aquatic animals and plants/crops.  In addition, adequate measures to treat and safely dispose of waste are required, including human, animal and manufacturing waste.   

The GLG commends ongoing efforts – particularly by the G7 countries – to address antimicrobial discharges into the environment and encourages countries to implement the Codex Code of practice to minimize and contain foodborne AMR and Guidelines on Integrated Monitoring and Surveillance of Foodborne Antimicrobial Resistance approved in November 2021. 

To improve the management of discharges into the environment that may contribute to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance, the Global Leaders Group calls for the following:  

1.  STRENGTHENED GOVERNANCE AND OVERSIGHT 

In general, countries should: 

  • Develop or build on and implement regulatory frameworks, guidelines, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and standards to establish safe levels, better control and monitor the distribution and release of antimicrobials, antimicrobial resistant bacteria and antimicrobial resistance determinants from food systems, manufacturing facilities and human health systems into the environment; and 
  • Include prevention and management measures in national action plans on AMR to minimize the impacts of environmental discharges. 

In the manufacturing sector specifically, countries should: 

  • Develop and implement legal and policy frameworks with a lifecycle approach for antimicrobials manufacturing. Such an approach considers the entire timespan that a pharmaceutical is active and can impact the surrounding systems, would help to effectively address AMR environmental risks and ensure resilient antibiotic supply chains and stimulate the design, development, manufacture, and commercialization of needed new antibiotics and alternatives to antimicrobials; 
  • Promote and develop balanced and staged environmental policies and approaches to manage and regulate manufacturing facilities and support environmental inspections, recognizing the current fragility of supply chains and significant access gaps;  
  • Incentivize industry for compliance and excellence, including highlighting their contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals; and 
  • Develop national antimicrobial manufacturing pollution standards based on best available evidence, treatment technology and situational analysis, and strengthen the capacity of environmental authorities to conduct audits and monitor compliance.  

In the human health sector specifically, countries should: 

  • Develop and implement antimicrobial stewardship policies and protocols in human health systems that include responsible and sustainable use and procurement of antimicrobials, and effective waste management approaches; and 
  • Implement and enforce laws and policies to reduce or eliminate antimicrobial use that is not under the guidance of a trained health care provider, while ensuring equitable access to quality antimicrobials. 

In food systems specifically, countries should:  

  • Develop or build on and implement regulatory frameworks, guidelines, SOPs and standards to effectively treat and/or manage waste discharge from food-producing animal farms, aquaculture farms and crop fields, as well as waste used to irrigate crops and run-off from crop fields; and 
  • Develop and implement antimicrobial stewardship policies and protocols in fixed and mobile animal health facilities that include responsible and sustainable use of antimicrobials and effective waste management approaches. 
2.  IMPROVED SURVEILLANCE AND DATA AVAILABILITY 

Countries should: 

  • Strengthen One Health surveillance of antimicrobial use in, and discharges of antimicrobials and AMR determinants from, food systems, human health systems and manufacturing facilities, as well as in sewage systems.  This should be done taking into account factors such as the need to build on existing systems, cost-effectiveness, data comparability and key knowledge gaps relating to the fate, concentration and impact of discharges on the environment and organisms in the environment (e.g. soil microbes, aquatic organisms). Priority should be given to collecting data that can support targeted action, such as enhanced understanding of risks to human and animal health and the environment and release pathways into the environment, and supporting the development of guidance on waste management approaches and antimicrobial discharge limits; and   
  • Promote industry data disclosure, transparency and public access to waste and wastewater management data and mitigation practices in order to build credibility and public confidence. Data disclosure could initially be made to regulators and independent third parties (for example as part of certification schemes), followed by efforts to enable wider public access to increase awareness and understanding, contribute to ongoing studies and reflect environmental standards in procurement practices.  
3.  IMPROVED DISCHARGE MANAGEMENT 

In general, all countries should: 

  • Reduce the need for antimicrobial use through implementation of effective infection prevention and control measures in all sectors, including water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), vaccination, biosecurity and animal husbandry and welfare measures;  
  • Develop, implement and monitor systems for proper segregation, treatment and/or disposal of antimicrobials and antimicrobial-containing substances in all sectors (including antimicrobial feed and human and animal waste); 
  • Develop mechanisms for collection and proper disposal of unused and expired antimicrobials from individuals and organizations; and  
  • Ensure availability of affordable and environmentally safe incinerators and innovative technologies for destruction and degradation of unused or expired antimicrobials. 

In general, relevant international technical organizations and their partners should develop guidance and showcase best practices on proper waste management practices across sectors. 

In food systems: 

All countries should: 

  • Create and implement manure, wastewater, runoff and farm waste management plans, SOPs, guidance, standards and measures such as composting for manure and its application into agriculture fields; and
  • Implement evidence-based manure management approaches so that manure can continue to be safely used as a natural fertilizer in agriculture fields and support agro-ecological farming practices while minimizing the risks of transfer of antimicrobial resistant bacteria or antimicrobial resistance determinants. 

International technical organizations should: 

  • Expedite the development of tools and guidance to support the implementation of the Codex Code of practice to minimize and contain foodborne AMR and Guidelines on Integrated Monitoring and Surveillance of Foodborne Antimicrobial Resistance along the food chain (e.g. food processing and production facilities, wet markets, slaughterhouses)  to minimize the impacts of antimicrobial discharge into the environment.   

Companies involved in the slaughter and processing of food animals should:  

  • Assess current food production practices to implement measures to reduce discharges of by-products, including biocides, into the environment and comply with legal standards and requirements. 

In the manufacturing sector: 

Manufacturing companies should: 

  • Commit to prevention and management measures to minimize the impacts of manufacturing discharges into the environment . This can be done through effective waste management technologies and practices, adoption and implementation of the common antibiotic manufacturing framework and the proposed independent certification schemes of the AMR Industry Alliance.  

All stakeholders should: 

  • Evaluate options and support efforts to create an enabling environment that influences and supports investment through incentives and efforts in pharmaceutical waste management without jeopardizing access to antimicrobials. Such evaluations may include an assessment of sustainable procurement policies, inclusion of environmental considerations in good manufacturing practices, environmental risk assessment before antimicrobial authorization and an independent product-certification scheme.  
4. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 

International technical, financing and research and development organizations and partners should: 

  • Enhance and coordinate research for a comprehensive understanding of risks to human and animal health from the environmental presence of antimicrobials, resistance microbes and mobile genetic elements in discharges, as well as potential hot spots, environmental impacts and antimicrobial resistance pathways, and mitigation measures;  
  • Promote research and development across public and private sectors into cost-effective and greener waste management technologies including methods to remove antimicrobial residues, resistance genes and resistant organisms and other tools (e.g., climate-sensitive incinerators and measurement technologies) and standardized monitoring methods, and support mainstreaming of best practices in process and waste management across sectors; and  
  • Develop policy briefs on antimicrobial resistance and organize policy dialogues among policymakers to support evidence-based policymaking. 

Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance background

The Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance was established in November 2020 and performs an independent global advisory and advocacy role with the primary objective of maintaining urgency, public support, political momentum and visibility of the AMR challenge on the global agenda. The mission of the group is to collaborate globally with governments, agencies, civil society and the private sector through a One Health approach to advise on and advocate for political action for the mitigation of drug-resistant infections through responsible and sustainable access to and use of antimicrobials.

The group is co-chaired by Their Excellencies Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados and is composed of heads of state, serving or former ministers and/or senior government officials acting in their individual capacities, together with senior representatives of foundations, civil society organizations and the private sector. It also includes principals of the Tripartite organizations – the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the World Health Organization (WHO), and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) – in an ex-officio capacity.

The Tripartite Joint Secretariat (TJS), a joint effort by FAO, OIE and WHO, and UNEP, provides Secretariat support for the Group.

Background on the UN Environment Assembly

The UN Environment Assembly is the world’s highest environmental decision-making body. Through its resolutions and calls to action, the Assembly provides leadership and catalyzes intergovernmental action on the environment. Its resumed fifth session (UNEA5.2) will held in Nairobi, Kenya, and online from 28 February to 2 March 2022.

Geneva, Nairobi, Paris, Rome, 24 August 2021 – The Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance today called upon all countries to significantly reduce the levels of antimicrobial drugs used in global food systems This includes stopping the use of medically important antimicrobial drugs to promote growth in healthy animals and using antimicrobial drugs more responsibly overall.

The call comes ahead of the UN Food Systems Summit which takes place in New York on 23 September 2021 where countries will discuss ways to transform global food systems.

The Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance includes heads of state, government ministers, and leaders from private sector and civil society. The group was established in November 2020 to accelerate global political momentum, leadership and action on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and is co-chaired by their Excellencies Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, and Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

Reducing the use of antimicrobials in food systems is key to conserving their effectiveness

The Global Leaders Group’s statement calls for bold action from all countries and leaders across sectors to tackle drug resistance.

A top priority call to action is to use antimicrobial drugs more responsibly in food systems and markedly reduce the use of drugs that are of greatest importance to treating diseases in humans, animals and plants.

Other key calls to action for all countries include:

  1. Ending the use of antimicrobial drugs that are of critical importance to human medicine to promote growth in animals.
  2. Limiting the amount of antimicrobial drugs administered to prevent infection in healthy animals and plants and ensuring that all use is performed with regulatory oversight.
  3. Eliminating or significantly reducing over-the-counter sales of antimicrobial drugs that are important for medical or veterinary purposes.
  4. Reducing the overall need for antimicrobial drugs by improving infection prevention and control, hygeine, biosecurity and vaccination programmes in agriculture and aquaculture.
  5. Ensuring access to quality and affordable antimicrobials for animal and human health and promoting innovation of evidence based and sustainable alternatives to antimicrobials in food systems.

Inaction will have dire consequences for human, plant, animal and environmental health

Antimicrobial drugs- (including antibiotics, antifungals and antiparasitics)- are used in food production all over the world. Antimicrobial drugs are administered to animals not only for veterinary purposes (to treat and prevent disease), but also to promote growth in healthy animals.

Antimicrobial pesticides are also used in agriculture to treat and prevent diseases in plants.

Sometimes antimicrobials used in food systems are the same as or similar to those used to treat humans. Current usage in humans, animals and plants is leading to a concerning rise in drug-resistance and making infections harder to treat. Climate change may also be contributing to an increase in antimicrobial resistance.

Drug resistant diseases already cause at least 700,000 human deaths globally every year.

Whilst there have been substantial reductions in antibiotic use in animals globally, further reductions are needed.

Without immediate and drastic action to significantly reduce levels of antimicrobial use in food systems, the world is rapidly heading towards a tipping point where the antimicrobials relied on to treat infections in humans, animals and plants will no longer be effective. The impact on local and global health systems, economies, food security and food systems will be devastating.

“We cannot tackle rising levels of antimicrobial resistance without using antimicrobial drugs more sparingly across all sectors” says co-chair of the Global Leader Group on Antimicrobial Resistance, Her Excellency Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados. “The world is in a race against antimicrobial resistance, and it’s one that we cannot afford to lose.’‘

Reducing the use of antimicrobial drugs in food systems must be a priority for all countries

“Using antimicrobial drugs more responsibly in food systems needs to be a top priority for all countries” says Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance co-chair Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh. “Collective action across all relevant sectors is crucial to protect our most precious medicines, for the benefit of everyone, everywhere.”

Consumers in all countries can play a key role by choosing food products from producers that use antimicrobial drugs responsibly.

Investors can also contribute by investing in sustainable food systems.

Investment is also urgently needed to develop effective alternatives to antimicrobial use in food systems, such as vaccines and alternative drugs.

The OIE, through the Tripartite Joint Secretariat (TJS) on Antimicrobial Resistance with FAO and WHO, provides Secretariat support for the Global Leaders Group on AMR

Geneva/Paris/Rome, 20 May 2021 – International organisations have come together to launch a new One Health High-Level Expert Panel to improve understanding of how diseases with the potential to trigger pandemics, emerge and spread.

The panel will advise four international organisations – the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO); the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE); the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); and the World Health Organization (WHO) – on the development of a long-term global plan of action to avert outbreaks of diseases like H5N1 avian influenza; MERS; Ebola; Zika, and, possibly, COVID-19. Three quarters of all emerging infectious diseases originate in animals.

It will operate under the One Health Approach, which recognizes the links between the health of people, animals, and the environment and highlights the need for specialists in multiple sectors to address any health threats and prevent disruption to agri-food systems.

Key first steps will include systematic analyses of scientific knowledge about the factors that lead to transmission of a disease from animal to human and vice versa; development of risk assessment and surveillance frameworks; identification of capacity gaps as well as agreement on good practices to prevent and prepare for zoonotic outbreaks.

The panel will consider the impact of human activity on the environment and wildlife habitats. Critical areas will include food production and distribution; urbanization and infrastructure development; international travel and trade; activities that lead to biodiversity loss and climate change; and those that put increased pressure on the natural resource base – all of which can lead to the emergence of zoonotic diseases.

The panel will guide development of a dynamic new research agenda and draw up evidence-based recommendations for global, regional, national and local action.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General said: “Human health does not exist in a vacuum, and nor can our efforts to protect and promote it. The close links between human, animal and environmental health demand close collaboration, communication and coordination between the relevant sectors. The High-Level Expert Panel is a much-needed initiative to transform One Health from a concept to concrete policies that safeguard the health of the world’s people.”

Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director General, told the panel: “This panel will contribute to advancing the One Health agenda, by helping to better understand the root causes of disease emergence and spread, and informing decision-makers to prevent long-term public health risks. I encourage it to be a shining example of silo-breaking, systems thinking and open dialogue. Expectations for collective action and the need for effective collaboration have never been higher.”

Dr Monique Éloit, Director General of the World Organisation for Animal Health noted: “The COVID-19 pandemic is a stark reminder that collaboration across sectors is absolutely critical for global health. The newly established One Health High-Level Expert Panel will contribute to bringing together diverse scientific expertise. United, we will better anticipate global health threats and work to control risks at the animal source. Our Organisation is proud to provide high-level expertise, along with our partners, to develop science-based ‘One Health’ strategies and programmes.“

Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP observed: “To end the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution that threaten our peace and prosperity, we have to understand that human, animal and planetary health go hand in hand. We must do more to promote transformative actions that target the root causes of nature’s destruction. The One Health High-Level Expert Panel is an important step in recognizing the complex, multidisciplinary issues at the interface of human, animal, and environmental health.“

The Ministers for Foreign Affairs of France and Germany also joined the public launch of the One Health High-Level Expert Panel:

Mr Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, France commented: “The COVID-19 pandemic, whose zoonotic origin is strongly suspected, underlines how closely human, animal and environmental health are linked. It demonstrates the importance of the ‘One Health’ approach. It is in this context that France, together with Germany, proposed the creation of such a Panel at the meeting of the Alliance for Multilateralism organized on the occasion of the Paris Peace Forum on 12 November 2020.”

Mr Heiko Maas, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Germany, said: “COVID-19 has painfully reminded us that the health of humans, animals and the environment around the world is closely connected: Nobody is safe until everybody is safe. This is what we have to bear in mind to prevent future pandemics. The establishment of the One Health High-Level Expert Panel thus marks an important step in the right direction. Germany and France will continue to support the panel’s work.”

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Action needed to halt spread of deadly pig disease via the GF-TADS initiative

Click here to access the GF-TADs initiative

Paris | Rome, 20 July 2020 – Pork is the most consumed meat in the world, representing 35.6 percent of global meat consumption. In recent years, ASF – which may cause up to 100 percent mortality in pigs – has become a major crisis for the pork industry, causing massive losses in pig populations and generating drastic economic consequences. Currently affecting several countries of Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and Europe, and with no effective vaccine, the disease is not only impeding animal health and welfare but has detrimental impacts on the livelihoods of farmers.

Today, 51 countries are affected by African swine fever. Amid the difficult situation posed by COVID-19, ASF continues to spread, intensifying the current health and socioeconomic crises.

Dr Matthew Stone, OIE Deputy Director General for International Standards and Science  

Many countries that are affected by ASF lack sufficient human, financial or technical resources to rapidly detect, respond and contain animal diseases.

In this globalised world, where diseases can spread rapidly across borders, timely sharing of latest scientific information, international collaboration and notification of ASF are needed to prevent transboundary spread and minimise impact.

Maria Helena Semedo, FAO Deputy Director-General

OIE and FAO call on countries and partners to join forces against this deadly pig disease by adopting the new Initiative for the Global Control of ASF.

Building upon the experience of the long-standing collaboration between OIE and FAO for the management of animal health related risks, the joint Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs) developed the Global Initiative with the aim of fostering national, regional, and global partnerships, to strengthen control measures and to minimise the impact of this complex and challenging disease.

  1. Improve the capability of countries to control (prevent, respond, eradicate) ASF using OIE International Standards and best practices that are based on the latest science.
  2. Establish an effective coordination and cooperation framework for the global control of ASF.
  3. Facilitate business continuity ensuring safe production and trade to protect food systems.

Coordinated actions as part of the Global Initiative should take place alongside maintaining transparency regarding reporting of animal diseases and investing in strong and resilient animal health systems.

The Global Initiative builds on previous regional efforts and follows recommendations of ASF experts from around the world. It aims to strengthen national Veterinary Services ability to manage risks through the development and implementation of ASF national control programmes, with public and private sectors working in partnership. Risk communication with the relevant stakeholders will be a crucial element to effectively address risk pathways and high-risk practices.

On a global scale, the sustained spread of ASF poses a threat to food security, economic and rural development. The disease represents a barrier to the agricultural sector to reach its full potential, generate employment and alleviate poverty, and acts as a disincentive to investment in the pig sector. Global control of ASF will thus contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, notably Goals 1 (No Poverty) and 2 (Zero Hunger).

For more information:


Regional efforts: 


Contact: [email protected]