UNGA High-level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance convened by the President of the General Assembly

Excellencies, distinguished guests, heads of state, ladies and gentlemen,

1. I make these opening remarks on behalf of FAO Director General QU Dongyu.
2. It is an honor to address you today at the opening of the United Nations General Assembly's high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
3. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to former President Francis for his exemplary leadership throughout the term of his presidency. I also wish to warmly welcome and thank His Excellency Mr. Philemon Yang, President of the General Assembly for hosting this. .
4. There is no health without safe and nutritious food, and no food without healthy, sustainable, resilient, and inclusive agrifood systems.
5. In 2016, UN member states recognized AMR as "the greatest and most urgent global risk" through the adoption of the Political Declaration on AMR.
6. AMR threatens human, animal and plant health, with profound consequences for food production, ecosystems, and our economic and social wellbeing.
7. The rapidly growing global population, coupled with climate change and the rising threat of AMR, demands a rethink of our approach to food production. We must reduce the need for and use of antimicrobials and set the highest standards for animal and plant health.
8. While progress has been made over the past eight years, much work remains.
9. For nearly 79 years, FAO has been unwavering in our mission to ensure safe and nutritious food for all, to eradicate hunger and poverty, and to uphold the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
10. We are committed to working with all stakeholders to sustainably transform agrifood systems in line with FAO's Strategic Framework, which champions Better Production, Better Nutrition, Better Environment, and Better Life. Our efforts to tackle AMR are guided by FAO's Action Plan on AMR (2021-2025), which supports Member States in developing and implementing their National Action Plans on AMR.
11. FAO initiatives such as the International FAO Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (InFARM) and the Farmer Field School Programme are driving innovation in agrifood systems.
12. FAO launched the "Reduce the Need for Antimicrobials for Sustainable Agrifood Systems" (RENOFARM) initiative-a global 10-year program which aims to reduce reliance on antimicrobials and promotes best practices at the farm level.
13. On behalf of the Quadripartite, FAO proudly hosts the AMR Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Platform, a crucial global governance structure on AMR.
14. The escalating threat of AMR demands collective action through an integrated One Health approach that encompasses human, animal, plant, and environmental health. Ladies and gentlemen,
15. Today's meeting is a pivotal opportunity to renew our shared commitment to tackling AMR. I urge Member States to agree on an equitable and inclusive political declaration that addresses the AMR challenges through a One Health lens.
16. In closing, I express profound gratitude to all individuals, organizations, and Member States contributing to this effort, with special thanks to Ambassador Vanessa Frazier and Ambassador François Jackman for their exemplary leadership as co-facilitators.
17. Together, let us ensure that lifesaving antimicrobials remain effective for generations to come-for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for all, leaving no one behind.

The time for action is now, let us not miss it. Thank you!