The 2024 political declaration on antimicrobial resistance needs bold targets

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant threat to human health and economies, with 4.95 million global deaths in 2019 and 1.27 million deaths directly attributable to it. The African Region bears the highest mortality burden, and healthcare systems are expected to spend up to $412 billion per year due to AMR. The United Nations 2024 Political Declaration, due to be adopted in September 2024, requires bold targets, measurable indicators, and sufficient funding to tackle AMR across human, animal, and environment sectors through a One Health approach. Despite numerous global commitments, progress has been slow, with only 27% of member states implementing their plans effectively. The environmental sector lacks targets and indicators, and effective regulation of waste discharge into the environment is crucial. Two additional indicators are proposed: establishing a plan for stepwise regulation of antimicrobial waste discharge to the environment by 2030, and ensuring 80% of the public is aware of antibiotic use contributing to resistance.