World leaders have signaled an unprecedented level of attention to curb the spread of infections that are resistant to antimicrobial medicines. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) happens when bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi develop resistance against medicines that were previously able to cure them.
For the first time, Heads of State have committed to taking a broad, coordinated approach to address the root causes of AMR across multiple sectors, especially human health, animal health and agriculture. This is only the fourth time a health issue has been taken up by the United Nations General Assembly (the others were HIV, non-communicable diseases and Ebola).