By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
Experts from various sectors in Africa have united to address Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). This outcome emerged from a high-level meeting that began in Yaoundé on November 14. The meeting coincides with Africa’s observance of World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW) under the theme, “Educate. Advocate. Act Now.”
Hosted by the Government of Cameroon, the high-level meeting brought together policymakers, health experts, and youth leaders.
Opening the meeting, Dr. Taïga, Cameroon’s Minister of Livestock, Fisheries, and Animal Industries (MINEPIA), emphasized that AMR is a global concern affecting human, animal, and environmental health.
“It represents one of the most serious threats to the world today. Despite its silent nature, AMR is particularly devastating for our health systems, with repercussions for economic development,” the Minister stated.
Speaking on behalf of the Assistant Director General and Regional Representative for Africa, Athman Mravili, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Central Africa, emphasized that population growth in Africa places immense pressure on food demand in agriculture, leading to increased production of food of animal origin and crops associated with the use of antimicrobials.
“The FAO’s mandate covers antimicrobial stewardship across various disciplines, including aquatic and terrestrial animal health, welfare and production, food and feed safety, crop production and protection, and overall stewardship of water and land along the agri-food system,” he indicated.
Meanwhile, Huyam Salih, Director of the African Union Inter African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), stated, “With an estimated 60 to 75 percent of emerging human pathogens originating from animals, the responsible use of antimicrobials in animal health is critical.”
The week-long event features a series of impactful activities, including high-profile panel discussions, youth engagement initiatives, and field visits to showcase ongoing efforts to tackle AMR across sectors.
While the high-level meeting reflects Africa’s dedication to reducing AMR—a growing public health challenge threatening human, animal, and environmental health—experts note that this year’s theme stresses the need for cross-sector collaboration to preserve the effectiveness of antimicrobials.
AMR, driven by the misuse and overuse of antibiotics across sectors, is a significant concern in Africa, where resistance rates are rising and threaten decades of progress in disease control. As AMR poses a major health threat that could lead to up to 4.1 million deaths annually across Africa by 2050 if left unchecked, this year’s observance comes at a crucial time.
Key messages throughout the week will highlight the urgent need for responsible antimicrobial use and stronger surveillance to protect public health, livelihoods, and food security across the continent.
WAAW is an annual collaboration in Africa spearheaded by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the AU Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The involvement of these diverse organizations underscores the necessity of a One Health approach—an integrated strategy that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health to mitigate AMR effectively.
