UNGA Political Declaration: A global commitment to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

The Commission welcomes the Political Declaration reached on 26 September at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to step up action against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). A new Political Declaration, endorsed by UN member countries—including EU Member States— committed to concrete actions to address AMR across all sectors, through a One Health approach that acknowledges that human, animal and environmental health are intrinsically linked.

AMR is increasingly recognised as one of the most urgent health challenges, responsible for approximately 1.3 million deaths globally each year, including 35,000 in the EU/EEA. If unaddressed, this figure could escalate to an alarming 390,000 deaths annually in the EU/EEA by 2050. The economic ramifications are equally concerning, with AMR costing the EU/EEA over €11 billion annually. Despite the magnitude of this threat, innovation in the development of new antimicrobials has not kept pace. The UNGA declaration outlines critical targets, including a 10% reduction in global AMR-related deaths by 2030 and a decrease in antibiotic use within the agri-food sector. It calls for urgent action and heightened incentives for research and development (R&D).

At the EU level, AMR is a top public health priority, addressed through measures such as targets to reduce antibiotic consumption in humans, rules to limit antibiotics in livestock, Research and Development investment to support the development of novel antibiotics, and strengthened environmental monitoring to prevent antibiotic residues from contaminating soil and water. The Commission has also launched a campaign to raise AMR awareness among young people, promoting a whole-society approach. The EU advocates for a stronger global One Health response to AMR.

To combat AMR, HERA is proactively advancing both research and development and ensuring the availability of vital medical countermeasures. Through the EU4Health Programme, HERA has funded a range of initiatives aimed at expediting innovation for AMR products in advanced stages of development. Notably, HERA has allocated €22 million to support the development of the Tuberculosis vaccine MTBVAC, spearheaded by Biofabri, and €24 million for the advancement of metagenomic diagnostics, which will enable quicker identification of viral respiratory infections. An additional €5 million is directed towards developing anti-tuberculosis medicines for children, with the evaluation process for proposals currently in progress.

In addition to fostering innovation, HERA is dedicated to improving access to newly developed antibiotics. This commitment includes the establishment of financial incentives, such as a multi-country revenue guarantee system. Under this scheme, participating companies will receive compensation if their sales fall below a predetermined threshold, whilst committing to supply antibiotics to Member States within 24 hours of an order. HERA is also exploring the feasibility of EU-level joint procurement to facilitate access to antimicrobials across Member States, thereby enhancing the EU’s preparedness and response to AMR.

The commitments enshrined in the UNGA Political Declaration resonate with HERA’s ongoing efforts to combat AMR. HERA actively collaborates with initiatives such as the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP), which has been allocated €20 million to support clinical trials focused on serious sepsis, paediatric antibiotics, and drug-resistant gonorrhoea. Additionally, HERA is aiding the World Health Organization (WHO) in updating pathogen priority lists and advancing medical countermeasures.

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Publication date: 1 October 2024
Author: Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority