For the first time in history, Africa will host the world’s most important ministerial meeting dedicated to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Scheduled for June 28–30, 2026, in Abuja, Nigeria, this 5th high-level meeting will bring together more than 100 countries under the theme: “One Health: Advancing Global Commitments on AMR Through Local Action.”
Organized under the auspices of the Nigerian government, this international event is expected to gather ministerial delegations from over one hundred countries, along with several Heads of State, including those of Botswana, Ghana, and Nigeria.
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will deliver the opening address of this historic meeting in Abuja.
“Antimicrobial resistance is a major threat and continues to claim many lives, particularly in low- and middle-income countries,” said Jean-Pierre Nyemazi, Director of the Quadripartite Joint Secretariat on AMR.
According to him, AMR is among the top ten global health threats and jeopardizes not only human health, but also animals, food systems, economies, and the environment.
The four agencies of the Quadripartite Partnership supporting the meeting are the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
Antimicrobial resistance, also known as drug resistance, is worsened by the misuse and overuse of antibiotics, antivirals, antiparasitics, and antifungals.
This situation reduces the effectiveness of essential treatments and makes some infections increasingly difficult—or even impossible—to treat.
“The misuse of antimicrobials is widespread across animal health, livestock, agriculture, food systems, and human health sectors, with impacts also affecting the environment,” said Shobha Shukla, Chair of the Global AMR Media Alliance (GAMA).
For the organizers, the Abuja meeting should accelerate the implementation of multisectoral national AMR action plans and transform political commitments made during the 2024 United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting into concrete actions on the ground.
It also builds on the 4th Ministerial Meeting held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2024, which established a Troika mechanism aimed at ensuring continuity and accountability between ministerial meetings.
The 2026 edition will distinguish itself through a broader and more integrated One Health approach.
In addition to health ministers, ministers of agriculture, environment, and finance are also expected to attend.
“The fight against antimicrobial resistance is not only about human health. It also concerns animal health, plants, food systems, and the environment,” recalled Ayoade Alakija, Special Envoy of the Nigerian Government on AMR.
One of the global targets is to reduce AMR-related deaths by 10% by 2030, compared to the 4.9 million associated deaths recorded in 2019.
Simple but effective measures can help achieve this target, including handwashing, improving water, sanitation and hygiene, infection prevention, equitable access to essential antimicrobials, and strengthening rapid diagnostics.
Dr. Alakija emphasized the economic value of investing in AMR response, stating:
“Investing 1 dollar in combating antimicrobial resistance generates an 11-dollar return on investment.”
She also called for sustainable and full financing of national AMR action plans, stressing the importance of involving ministries of finance in this multisectoral response.
Organizers stressed the crucial strategic role of the media in raising awareness, mobilizing citizens, and monitoring public commitments.
“Evidence-based journalism can make AMR a development, equity, and sustainability issue,” said Dr. Nyemazi.
The conference also marked the official launch of the Global AMR Media Awards 2026, the third edition of the initiative.
Several national initiatives were also announced, including the 1st Nigeria AMR Media Awards, the 2nd Nepal AMR Media Awards, the 2nd India AMR Media Awards, and the 1st Kerala AMR Media Awards.
Two special award categories were introduced, including the PutPeopleFirst category, aimed at recognizing reports that give voice to survivors of antimicrobial resistance.
Hosting this meeting in Nigeria marks a major symbolic turning point in global AMR governance.
While previous meetings were largely dominated by European countries, the 2026 edition is expected to see majority participation from countries of the Global South.
“We need an equitable response to antimicrobial resistance,” concluded Shobha Shukla.
Babacar sene Journal Agropasteur
.
