Ambassador Dr. Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, Assistant Secretary-General and head of the Social Affairs Sector, announced the participation of the General Secretariat (Health and Humanitarian Aid Department) in the Fourth Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance, hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on 15–16 November. The conference witnessed the attendance of representatives from 65 countries, alongside key United Nations organisations and prominent international civil society institutions.
Ambassador Abu Ghazaleh highlighted the adoption of the Jeddah Declaration, which transitions the global agenda on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) from policy statements to actionable implementation. The declaration sets forth a comprehensive plan to confront AMR, emphasising the protection of public health and enhancing health security through initiatives aimed at unifying efforts and delivering effective solutions. The declaration underscores the urgent need to intensify global actions against AMR, recognising it as a critical threat to public health.
Key outcomes of the conference included the establishment of a centre in Saudi Arabia to improve access to antibiotics and logistics services, as well as the creation of the "One Health Learning" Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance. The initiatives aim to strengthen global cooperation, enhance diagnostic capabilities, ensure equitable access to essential antibiotics, and foster innovation. Additionally, the Biotechnology Bridge was launched to support research, development, and biotechnological innovations to combat AMR. The conference prioritised governance enhancement, monitoring and oversight mechanisms, capacity building, research promotion, and public awareness through educational initiatives.
Ambassador Abu Ghazaleh further explained that the Jeddah Declaration highlighted the critical role of the Quadripartite organisations—the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), World Health Organisation (WHO), and World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)—in supporting governments. All participating countries reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the declaration's objectives, aligning with the United Nations General Assembly’s AMR goals for 2030.
