Joint action and partnership on AMR to ensure a coordinated One Health approach in Europe and Central Asia – A High-level Webinar for the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2020

(9:30 to 11:00 CET)

Presenters

• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) - Vladimir Rakhmanin, Assistant Director General and Regional Representative
• World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), Regional Representation for Europe – Budimir Plavsic, Regional Representative
• World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe) – Hans Kluge, Regional Director
• Eurasian Economic Commission (EAEC) - Viktor Nazarenko, Minister of technical regulations

Background

Understanding the complex interaction and role of different sectors is crucial to achieve success in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Different sectors need to work together and coordinate their efforts in a challenging social, political and economic environment. The regional offices of the Tripartite Organizations FAO, OIE and WHO are joining forces by forming a Regional tripartite joint secretariat to coordinate One Health action against AMR across the Region. The COVID-19 pandemic has slowed down the progress and efforts in controlling AMR and may even accelerate the rate at which AMR emerges due to inappropriate use of antibiotics. The One Health approach is essential for addressing inter-related issues at the human-animal-environment interface, as well as our search for understanding the pandemic and the role played by animals, agriculture and the environment in the spread of disease and the evolution of the virus.

At the webinar, high-level participants from the tripartite organizations will outline the importance of setting up the new Regional Tripartite Joint Secretariat on AMR to mobilize stakeholders and partners and co-ordinate action across the Region, make optimal use of available resources, foster synergies and avoid duplication of efforts.

Target audiences and stakeholders

• High-level representatives from One Health-related Ministries (Health, Agriculture and Environment) and agencies;
• Representatives from major initiatives, Non-Governmental Organizations, Civil Society Organizations, Foundations, etc. working in AMR;
• Regional and country representatives from FAO, OIE and WHO, Chief Veterinary Officers/Chief Medical Officers.