Events of Fourth Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance Start in Jeddah.

JEDDAH: The side events of the Fourth Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance, held under the theme 'From Declaration to Implementation - Accelerating Actions Through Multisectoral Partnerships for the Containment of AMR,' started in Jeddah today. The conference, which will be held from November 15 to 16, under the patronage of the Ministry of Health, will bring together health, environment, and agriculture ministers from around the world, along with representatives from leading international organizations and civil society. According to Saudi Press Agency, the conference's goal is to strengthen international efforts to combat the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance, a global challenge that impacts health, economies, and societies, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel stated that the 4th AMR Ministerial Meeting offers an opportunity for the international community to commit to a strengthened common roadmap and a set of clear deliverables aimed at countering the rise in drug resistance in humans and animals. AMR is a threat that affects people of all ages, impacting human, animal, and plant health, environment, and food security. To effectively contain AMR, a comprehensive One Health approach is required, addressing the obstacles hindering progress through sharing best practices, innovative funding initiatives, and developing new tools. Al-Jalajel emphasized that the Jeddah meeting is a crucial opportunity to strengthen the collective global response to the risks of this growing 'silent pandemic.' WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted that antimicrobial resistance is a current issue, making many antibiotics and other medicines less effective, complicating the treatment of routine infections. He commended Saudi Arabia for its leadership and hosting of this important ministerial conference on AMR, stressing the need for cross-sectoral collaboration to stop the spread of antimicrobial resistance and prote ct vital medicines. Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme Inger Andersen noted the environment's role in the emergence, transmission, and spread of AMR. To mitigate AMR risks, it is imperative to strengthen environmental interventions with prevention at the core. The Jeddah Declaration calls for immediate action to protect the environment as part of the AMR response, urging stakeholders to scale up preventative actions to reduce effluents and waste from various sectors. AMR is a significant global public health and development threat, already causing over one million deaths annually and contributing to a further 5 million deaths each year. Economically, AMR is projected to reduce global GDP by nearly 4% by 2050, costing the global economy an estimated $100 trillion. The conference aims to address priorities such as surveillance and stewardship, capacity building, funding provision, governance, innovation, and research and development. This initiative reflects the Kingdom's commitme nt to fostering international cooperation, tackling global health challenges, and emphasizing its leadership role in supporting global health security.