Accelerating Progress on AMR National Action Plans in Africa: High-Level Policy Dialogue at World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2024
Time: 14:30-15:30 (Cameroon time)
Hosts: AU-IBAR & Africa CDC
At the 2024 World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) that, AU-IBAR and the Africa CDC will hold a panel discussion and high-level policy dialogue titled "Accelerating Progress in African Countries in Operationalisation of AMR National Action Plans." On November 18, 2024, influential figures from the health, agricultural, environment, and trade sector will gather to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a serious health problem that affects African countries more than any other. In order to ensure that National Action Plans (NAPs) for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are effectively implemented throughout Africa, this conversation seeks to encourage cooperation and motivate political will.
Background
Due of the continent's still-fragile health systems and its propensity for the overuse and misuse of antimicrobials in both animal and human medicine, antimicrobial resistance is a major worry for nations around the world. This is especially true in Africa. The implementation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) national action plans has been a major obstacle, preventing the continent from making as much headway as Europe could have in the fight against AMR. In light of this, the African Union-IBAR and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have organised this dialogue to provide a forum where African leaders, regional groups, and international entities can come together to respond to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) more quickly. The goal is to achieve this through the exchange of information, renewed dedication to multi-sectoral solutions, and strategic policy guidance.
Key Objectives of the Dialogue
The panel discussion aims to:
1. Review the status and progress of AMR NAP implementation across African countries, drawing insights from national experiences and institutional collaborations.
2. Highlight critical challenges hampering the implementation of AMR NAPs, including policy, resource, and technical barriers, and explore solutions to overcome them.
3. Encourage stronger commitments from African leaders and stakeholders to advance AMR NAPs, emphasizing the role of national policy and intersectoral collaboration.
4. Drive political and financial commitments to enhance AMR surveillance, monitoring, and control across African regions.
High-Level Participants and Speakers
The dialogue will feature a distinguished panel of speakers, including the Minister of Health from Cameroon and the Minister of Livestock, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, alongside the Directors of AU-IBAR and Africa CDC. Leaders from WHO, FAO, UNEP, and WOAH will also contribute, providing a holistic, multi-sectoral perspective on AMR. The participation of senior policymakers from African Union member states and AMR-focused organizations underscores the event’s emphasis on high-level collaboration.
Expected Outcomes and Significance of the Dialogue
The dialogue is designed to increase awareness of the implementation of AMR NAPs in African nations, identify policy gaps and barriers, reinforce ministers' commitment to incorporating them into national policy frameworks, and establish a coordinated multi-sectoral roadmap for accelerated implementation.
The event is designed to cultivate partnerships and strengthen national policies by aligning African leaders and global partners on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) efforts. It is essential to mobilise political will, expertise, and resources to protect public health systems, agricultural security, and economies, thereby fostering a sustainable future.