Countries worldwide join forces to step up fight against antimicrobial resistance

International cooperation in fighting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is to be stepped up. Countries will work together more closely in the future, and a fund is being launched to support action against AMR around the world. The Netherlands pledged an initial $5 million to the new fund.

Over 200 representatives of around 40 countries, as well as senior figures within the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have convened in Noordwijk to highlight the importance of combating AMR worldwide. AMR is a global problem that kills hundreds of thousands of people a year. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics can make bacteria resistant, so that even a straightforward infection can result in death.