Opening remarks at the side event on antimicrobial resistance, at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly

His Excellency Mr Osamu Yamanaka, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations; distinguished colleagues; ladies and gentlemen, good morning and welcome to today's side event on AMR organized by ASEF.

This year, we have had many reminders of the grave threat AMR poses to global health security, national economies, health systems and our daily lives. We recognize the urgent need to drive political commitment to fight AMR globally, regionally and nationally.

Yesterday, the General Assembly endorsed the Political Declaration of the High-level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance. The Declaration is a collective promise to invest in sustainable solutions to accelerate multisectoral progress on AMR at all levels through a One Health approach. Simply put, it is a pledge to build a healthier, safer world.

At the World Health Assembly in May, Member States adopted a resolution calling on all Member States to accelerate national and global responses to AMR. This means, increased emphasis on preventing infections; ensuring everyone can access the diagnostic tests and medicines they need; fostering data, science and innovation; and committing to effective governance and financing of the AMR response.

At a side meeting to the Health Assembly in May, ministers of health and representatives from Asia-Pacific Member States gathered to support the Asia-Pacific Initiative to Accelerate Action against AMR, led by the Government of Japan and the WHO Western Pacific and South-East Asia regions.

Thirty out of 38 Asia-Pacific countries have endorsed the Joint Position Paper presented at that meeting on the threats to human health from AMR in the Asia-Pacific region.

Asia-Pacific leaders showed they recognize the gravity of AMR. They understand the importance of accelerating collective actions and demonstrating leadership and political commitment to fight AMR.

AMR affects us all. It does not respect national borders or social divisions.

We cannot imagine a world where antimicrobials no longer work - a world where common infections routinely kill and medical advances we have taken for granted are erased.

We need to recognize our greatest asset - our people, be they healthcare workers, scientists or ordinary citizens vulnerable to the effects of AMR, and put people at the centre of the AMR response, principles that are embodied in the WHO People-centred approach to addressing AMR in human health.

AMR cannot be siloed. Measures to combat AMR need to be an integral part of our efforts to strengthen primary health care towards achieving universal health coverage, and ensuring the most vulnerable are not left behind.

Yesterday's General Assembly meeting and declaration were critical. But they represent only a single milestone. We must continue to fight AMR by focusing on actions to fulfil the commitments we have made.

The theme for the upcoming 4th Ministerial Conference on AMR in November in Saudi Arabia captures this spirit. It calls on us to move from declarations to accelerating actions to contain and combat AMR.

Working together, we can take the swift action necessary to mitigate the threat of AMR and pave the way for a healthier and more secure future for generations to come.

Thank you.