On the sidelines of the 44th Session of the FAO Conference, the AMR Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Platform, together with the Governments of the United Kingdom and Kenya, FAO, and the South Centre, co-convened a high-level dialogue titled “Implementing the 2024 AMR Political Declaration: Industry Accountability and Equity in Agrifood Sector Transformation.”
The event brought together representatives from governments, industry, civil society, and international organizations to identify practical solutions for translating the AMR-related commitments from the 2024 UNGA Political Declaration into tangible actions. Discussions focused on the need for greater accountability, collective responsibility, and systems-thinking to ensure a coherent and equitable approach to agrifood sector transformation.
The dialogue highlighted the significance of the FAO Resolution on AMR, adopted earlier that morning by FAO Members, as a milestone in streamlining the implementation of global commitments on AMR.
Platform members and participants emphasized that AMR is not only a global health security threat, but also an economic and financial challenge. Country representatives from South Africa, Brazil, India, and the European Union stressed the importance of robust legislative and regulatory frameworks, well-functioning surveillance systems, and enhanced capacity to both generate and use data for informed decision-making and resource allocation.
Panelists underscored the critical role of veterinary services and the need to equip them with the necessary tools and knowledge. They agreed that political will is the essential catalyst to drive change throughout the system, while the whole-of-government and the whole-of-society approach is essential, emphasizing that governments cannot act alone and must engage industry, civil society, and local communities as full partners.
Despite AMR being a global issue, participants stressed that solutions must be context-specific and locally driven. Addressing AMR effectively also means addressing food insecurity, strengthening resilience and animal health systems, ensuring equity for farmers and livestock producers, enabling them to feed the world sustainably. The importance of accountability mechanisms was also raised, particularly via establishing meaningful baselines and country-level targets, promoting better stewardship, and strengthening the ability to interpret and act on data. The private sector was called upon to play a more active role in data sharing and infrastructure strengthening, such as laboratory systems.
Prevention emerged as a central theme, including investments in biosecurity, access to veterinary care, improved nutrition, and vaccination. “Prevention is cheaper than treatment,” a panelist stated, calling for widespread and systematic use of preventive measures. While the private sector plays a key role in developing vaccines and alternatives, governments must ensure efficient approval systems and vaccination plans. Animal welfare, good husbandry practices, and nutrition were highlighted as fundamental to animal health and cannot be replaced by technical solutions alone.
Participants stressed the value of science, evidence, and structured, cross-sectoral dialogue. The upcoming establishment of an Independent Panel on Evidence for Action (IPEA) was welcomed as a mechanism to foster evidence uptake and translation into meaningful action.
From an investor perspective, speakers noted growing awareness of AMR-related risks. Investors are increasingly using their voice to promote sustainable practices in food production—not just for health reasons, but also for long-term financial and economic viability.
Among the Quadripartite partners, WOAH emphasized the importance of prevention, data sharing, and strengthening animal health systems. FAO closed the session by outlining concrete next steps, including:
- Developing a high-impact public-private partnership on AMR and One Health;
- Collaborating with governments and industry to build economic incentives for farmers;
- Mobilizing country-led flagship programmes under the RENOFARM initiative;
- Enhancing collaboration with the other Quadripartite organizations (UNEP, WHO, and WOAH), particularly on the update of the Global Action Plan and the establishment of the IPEA.
This high-level side event followed the adoption of a new FAO Resolution on AMR, a significant milestone reinforcing FAO’s mandate to support Members in implementing the 2024 UN Political Declaration. The Resolution sets the stage for bolder, more coordinated action across the agrifood sector.
Panelists acknowledged the pivotal role of the AMR Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Platform as a central hub for structured dialogue, coordination, peer exchange, and joint problem-solving. With over 250 members from governments, civil society, academia, farmers, and the private sector, the Platform serves as a powerful enabler of cross-sectoral dialogue, collaboration and action at global, national, and local levels.
Participants and panelists included Platform members and partners such as the European Union, Brazil, South Africa, India, the South Centre, the FAIRR Initiative, HealthforAnimals, Four Paws International, and the International Poultry Council. The event was organized in partnership with the Governments of the United Kingdom and Kenya, co-chairs of the Group of Friends of Tackling AMR in Rome, who also led the development of the FAO Resolution.
As attention now turns to the 5th Global High-Level Ministerial Meeting on AMR in Nigeria in 2026 and the next UNGA High-Level Meeting on AMR in 2029, FAO and its Quadripartite partners reaffirmed their commitment to turning global commitments into concrete action and measurable impact.