The 4th Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from November 15-16, 2024. Building on the momentum of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Meeting on AMR in September 2024, the event brought together ministers and experts from the health, environment, and agriculture sectors. Representatives from 57 countries and 450 participants from UN organizations discussed critical challenges and solutions to combat the growing AMR crisis.
Hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Health, Fahad bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel, the conference’s theme was “From Declaration to Implementation – Accelerating Actions Through Multisectoral Partnerships for the Containment of AMR.” The conference addressed the systemic issues hindering progress and focused on developing practical solutions across sectors, read a press release.
A key outcome of the event was the adoption of the Jeddah Commitments, a comprehensive framework aimed at accelerating global efforts against AMR. These commitments seek to implement the provisions outlined in the Political Declaration of the UNGA High-Level Meeting on AMR and focus on strengthening governance, stewardship, surveillance, capacity building, research, manufacturing, access, and disposal related to AMR.
In particular, the Jeddah Commitments outline key actions including the establishment of an Independent Panel for Evidence on Action Against AMR by 2025, the creation of national AMR coordination mechanisms, and the promotion of global data sharing through platforms such as GLASS AMR/AMC, ANIMUSE, and INFARM. The commitments also emphasize adherence to Codex Alimentarius Commission guidelines to ensure the responsible use of antimicrobials.
In addition to these commitments, Saudi Arabia announced the creation of the One Health AMR Learning Hub, which will focus on sharing best practices and building capacity for implementing multisectoral National Action Plans on AMR. A Regional Antimicrobial Access and Logistics Hub will also be established to facilitate the sustainable procurement of safe and effective antimicrobials. Leaders also called for increased investment in research, innovation, and the sustainable manufacturing of antimicrobials and diagnostics to address the growing AMR challenge.
The conference concluded with a call to action for all Member States to fulfill their pledges and work towards the targets set in the UN General Assembly’s Political Declaration on AMR, with the aim of implementing these initiatives by 2030. Nigeria will host the next Ministerial Summit in 2026 to take stock of progress and evaluate the success of implemented actions.
The Jeddah conference was a pivotal moment in addressing AMR, which is increasingly being recognized as a "silent pandemic," and marked a significant step toward global collaboration to combat this urgent health threat.
On behalf of the Bangladesh NGO Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC), I had the honor of participating in and speaking at this important gathering as part of the Quadripartite AMR Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Platform. This invitation underscores the growing recognition of civil society organizations (CSOs) and the media in amplifying voices for change and advancing the One Health approach to combat AMR.
My participation in the conference reaffirmed the critical role that CSOs and media mobilization play in the fight against AMR. By working together, we can address AMR and build a healthier, more sustainable future for all.
